Statistical Characteristics of the Global Surface Current Speeds Obtained from Satellite Altimetry and Scatterometer Data

摘要

Near-real time ocean surface currents derived from satellite altimeter (JASON-1, GFO, ENVISAT) and scatterometer (QSCAT) data on 1 degree 1 degree resolution for world oceans (60 degrees S to 60 degrees N) are available online as Ocean Surface Current Analyses Real Time (OSCAR) . The probability distribution function (PDF) of the current speeds (w), constructed from global OSCAR data from 1992 to 2008, satisfies the two-parameter Weibull distribution reasonably well, and such a PDF has little seasonal and interannual variations. Knowledge on PDF of w will improve the ensemble horizontal flux calculation, which contributes to the climate studies.