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Verification results for the Spectral Ocean Wave Model (SOWM) by means of significant wave height measurements made by the GEOS-3 spacecraftSignificant wave heights estimated from the shape of the return pulse wave form of the altimeter on GEOS-3 for forty-four orbit segments obtained during 1975 and 1976 are compared with the significant wave heights specified by the spectral ocean wave model (SOWM), which is the presently operational numerical wave forecasting model at the Fleet Numerical Weather Central. Except for a number of orbit segments with poor agreement and larger errors, the SOWM specifications tended to be biased from 0.5 to 1.0 meters too low and to have RMS errors of 1.0 to 1.4 meters. The much fewer larger errors can be attributed to poor wind data for some parts of the Northern Hemisphere oceans. The bias can be attributed to the somewhat too light winds used to generate the waves in the model. Other sources of error are identified in the equatorial and trade wind areas.
Document ID
19780016832
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Pierson, W. J. (City Coll. of the City Univ. of New York NY, United States)
Salfi, R. E. (City Coll. of the City Univ. of New York NY, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1978
Subject Category
Oceanography
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-62089
Accession Number
78N24775
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS6-2439
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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