ERS scatterometer data application

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, UK, has been using ERS data for providing meteorological services since 1992. Scatterometer data from ESA's satellite are incorporated to correct forecast surface wind fields over oceans. These are then propagated through a numerical model to provide corrections to other parameters such as atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity. In this image of Cyclone Keoni, scatterometer data were used to improve accuracy of wind data so that initial values of atmospheric parameters at the model grid points better matched the actual values. [Image Date: 21-08-97] [97.11.014-010]