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Integrated Sensor Training (IST) Professional Development Series

QuikSCAT Winds

Ross Van Til
 Forecast Decision Training Branch

 with contributions from
Dan Lindsey, Roger Edson, Dr. Michael Freilich, the Naval Research Lab, the COMET Program, Dr. Paul Chang, and Joe Sienkiewicz


1) Introduction

    This teletraining session was updated in May 2008, and replaces the previous QuikSCAT Winds session. New material includes displaying and interpreting high resolution QuikSCAT data in AWIPS OB 8.3, and expanded extratropical cyclone applications.

    Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how QuikSCAT works


  • Become aware of the data limitations


  • Know how the 12.5 km high-resolution data is presented in AWIPS


  • Understand how to apply QuikSCAT data operationally by examining several examples


2) Prerequisites

    This is a basic course.

    There are no prerequisites.

3) Teletraining Installation Instructions


4) Training Session Options:

    A.) The interactive VISITview training session. (To be used with a VISIT instructor leading the session ). Click here to signup for teletraining. The session will last 60 minutes. This teletraining session uses the VISITview software, where Windows PC with an Internet connection is needed.

    B.) Web-based training session - coming soon - a "stand alone" version viewed via a Web browser, with embedded talking points included. This lesson version may be viewed at any time. These slides are ideal for printing from the web-browser, just print preview first to choose portrait or landscape mode. Best viewed with Internet Explorer or Netscape (prior to version 6).

    C.) Web-based Visitview session - coming soon - This version uses the VISITview software within a Web browser, may be viewed at any time. It retains all the functionality of the VISITview software which you see in a "live" teletraining session. The talking points are not included in this lesson version, but can be viewed in a separate Web browser (or printed out beforehand).

    D.) local Visitview session - This is the same version of the lesson used in a "live" VISITview teletraining session, but no connection is made to an external VISITview server. You may download the file off this page and go through the lesson on your own in "local mode" by starting the "visitlocal.bat" file. Talking points are not included in this lesson version, but can be viewed in a separate Web browser ( or printed out beforehand).

    E.) Audio playback - This VISITview file contains recorded audio and annotations and can be taken at anytime. Certificates of completion for NOAA employees can be obtained through your Science Operation Officer or training point of contact. For detailed information on how to view the recorded session click here.

    Create a directory to download the audio playback file (it is about 70 MB in size) from one of the following sites:

    You may either request a DVD (with all VISIT audio playback files) OR download the file (see instructions below):

    ftp://rammftp.cira.colostate.edu/bikos/audio/Qscat_audio_version_final.exe
    OR
    ftp://ftp.ssec.wisc.edu/visit/audio/Qscat_audio_version_final.exe

    After extracting the files into that directory click on the visitauto.bat file to start the lesson.

5) References/Additional Links

    Real-time QuikSCAT winds from Dr. Paul Chang

    Archive of QuikSCAT winds over tropical storms

    QuikSCAT webcast by Dr. Michael Freilich from COMET

    Chelton, D.B., M.H. Freilich, J.M. Sienkiewicz, and J.M. Von Ahn, 2006: On the Use of QuikSCAT Scatterometer Measurements of Surface Winds for Marine Weather Prediction. AMS Monthly Weather Review, 134, 2055-2071.

    Ebuchi, N., H.C. Graber, and M.J. Caruso, 2002: Evaluation of wind vectors observed by QuikSCAT/SeaWinds using ocean buoy data. J. Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 19, 2049-2062.

    Pickett, M.H., W. Tang, L.K. Rosenfeld, and C.H. Wash, 2003: QuikSCAT satellite comparisons with nearshore buoy wind data off the U.S. west coast. J. Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 20, 1869-1879.

    Weissman, D.E., M.A. Bourassa, and J. Tongue, 2002: Effects of rain rate and wind magnitude on SeaWinds scatterometer wind speed errors. J. Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 19, 738-746.

    Von Ahn, J.M., J.M. Sienkiewicz, and P.S. Chang, 2006: Operational Impact of QuikSCAT Winds at the NOAA Ocean Prediction Center. Weather and Forecasting, 21, 523-539.


6) Train the trainer - coming soon

7) Content developed/updated
    May 2008
8) Information contact