Comments on 'Scatterometer-Based Assessment of 10-m Wind Analyses from the Operational ECMWF and NCEP Numerical Weather Prediction Models'

摘要

CF05 stressed the importance of scatterometer-derived data by quantifying the accuracy of the observations, by demonstrating the positive impact of these data on the skill of global weather analysis and prediction models, and by providing a detailed description the functioning and characteristics of the scatterometer instrument and the data it generates. Here, we describe a very different role of scatterometer data that we believe to be equally as important. Our aim is to demonstrate the large positive impact of scatterometer data in improving the routine analysis and prediction of the tracks, intensities, and life cycles of individual severe and extreme atmospheric and oceanic systems ovei some of the world's most data-sparse ocean and coastal regions. Specifically, our work concentrates on the intense midlatitude cyclones, subtropical cyclones, anc tropical cyclones that form over and traverse the East Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and southwest Pacific Ocean. We have shown, by comparison with ground-based observations, that the scatterometer data is very accurate and that its inclusion in numerical analyses has an impact on all time scales, from hours and days through to the development of climatologies. In particular, the most powerful of the midlatitude storms which we refer to here as super cyclones, is a primary focus of our work, as they have only recently been accepted as reaching the intensities that have been suspected for some time. We have found support in the work of Chelton, Freilich, and colleagues that scatterometer data, despite several known remaining problems, have now made possible a large step toward providing the accurate and timely warnings necessary to minimize loss of life and damage to property that car be caused by such severe systems. We have provided support for this view in the form of two examples in which ground truth was available for validation of the scatterometer data. These warnings are a vital and immediate requirement owing to their immense destructive potential and the fact that they form, develop, and move over data-sparse oceans before they make landfall. The continued development of techniques for optimizing the application of scatterometer-derived data is central to continued success.