Validation of Wave and Wind Product of the New Phase Saral Using Buoys Data

Since July 4th 2016, the SARAL/Altika has been moved in a new orbit, and it has continuously provided wave height measurements for more than 1 year. Before using these data, the measurements need to be validated. Based on the in-situ buoys from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), the SARAL Ka-band significant wave height (SWH) and Sea Surface Wind (SSW) measurements were validated and have been corrected using a linear regression with in-situ measurements. Compared with NDBC data, the validation results of SARAL show a RMS (Root Mean Square) of 0.28 m for SARAL SWH measurements and RMS of 1.30m/s for SARAL SSW speed indicating capability of AltiKa providing SWH and wind speed products with reliable accuracy. Therefore the accuracy of SARAL SWH products is higher than that of Jason-1/2 SWH data, and does not require any correction.