The document describes the National SAR Winds Project (NSW) in Canada which uses radar data from satellites to measure ocean winds. The project aims to develop an operational system for processing SAR wind data nationally. Over 185 people were trained and the system provided wind coverage for Canadian coastal waters. User surveys found strong support for continuing an operational NSW system.

1. RADARSAT APPLICATION IN OCEAN WIND MEASUREMENTS Vladimir Zabeline, Laurie Neil, Shahid Khurshid Chris Fogarty, William Perrie, Paris W. Vachon, Sergey Komarov IGARSS July 28, 2011 Vancouver

2. NSW Project Objectives Implement a quasi-operational SAR wind processing system on a national scale Identify the best system architecture for the National operational SAR wind processing system within EC Conduct assessment and cost-benefit analysis as the basis for EC decision regarding an on-going operational system Ensure effective communication with, and training of end users Encourage and facilitate collaboration between all users of SAR data (internal, interdepartmental, international)

4. The Evolution of NSW Transition Period Operations Decision Point

5. NSW – Prototype System National SAR Wind “ Wind Information Processing System” NSW-WIPS Visual Product Generator NWP Model Wind Information www.cwinds.ca/nsw Observations (Buoys Only) RADARSAT-1 RADARSAT-2 ENVISAT-ASAR

6. NSW Prototype Architecture

8. Testing results of different regression models MODEL VARIABLES TESTING SUBSET N=257 TRANING SUBSET N=313 RMSE (m/s) R squared RMSE (m/s) R squared VV+VH X X X 1.3249 0.8795 1.2499 0.8606 VV+VH+DIR X X X X 1.3126 0.8835 1.1278 0.8865 CMOD VV X X X 1.5170 0.9191 1.5083 0.8442 MODEL VARIABLES TESTING SUBSET N=57 TRANING SUBSET N=162 RMSE (m/s) R squared RMSE (m/s) R squared HH+HV X X X 1.7195 0.7731 1.6111 0.8326 HH+HV+DIR X X X X 1.3717 0.8524 1.3779 0.8775 CMOD HH X X X 2.1841 0.7012 2.2830 0.7848

9. Retrieved vs. buoys wind speed- VV+VH model

10. NSW Spatial Coverage Atlantic Region (AR) Ontario Region (OR) Prairie & Northern Region Inland Lakes (PNR-Inland Lakes) Quebec Region (QR) Pacific & Yukon Region (PYR) Hudson & James Bay Region (HJBayR)

11. METAREAs Obligations NSW’s potential contribution to meeting Canada’s METAREAs obligations. The Map illustrates one day of SAR coverage from RADARSAT-2 (July 18, 2010). This is illustrative of current SAR coverage. Additional SAR missions, including the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (2016) will provide full Arctic coverage 2-3 times per day.

12. NSW SAR Data Utilization

13. Training Ap-09 Mar-11 National SAR Wind Project (NSWP) April 2009 to March 2011 Halifax by Dr. Chris Fogarty Feb, 2010 2 day Training session Toronto by Laurie Neil March, 2010 2 day Training session Vancouver by Laurie Neil May, 2010 2 day Training Session Edmonton by Laurie Neil September, 2010 2 day Training Session Winnipeg by Laurie Neil October, 2010 2 day Training Session Quebec by Marie-France Turcotte November, 2010 3 day Training Session

14. SAR Winds: Operational Forecasting Hi-res numerical model Hi-res SAR imagery Bank of knowledge to be used in the future; Users develop/refine conceptual models Forecaster assimilates info for the day Existing forecast Updated forecast SAR imagery Future forecast Hi-res numerical model SAR imagery Amended forecast and warning when required Updated forecast Forecast Team Software Teams Forecast Cycle Future Forecast Cycles… ongoing science training and maintenance training via Change Management Process 24/7 operational support New science/ algorithms (Lab)

15. NSW Web Portal – CWINDS.CA Wind Speed Legend Swath SAR Scene, NWP model and Buoy details Current & Previous Month

16. NSW SAR Wind Product -Ninjo

17. NSW SAR Wind Product – ENVISAT-ASAR

18. NSW SAR Wind Product –MSSR-OSVN Maritime Satellite Surveillance Radar

19. Channelling Effect - St. Lawrence, QC

20. Low Pressure December 06, 2010 – NS

21. Strong Outflow Winds - Baffin Island Pangnirtung Extremely strong outflow winds through Pangnirtung and Kingnait Fiord on Baffin Island. At the time of this image (November 27, 10:36 GMT) winds at Pangnirtung were gusting over 80 km/hr. Within 2 hours after this image, gusts were near 130 km/hr.

22. Cold Air Streaming Out – BC

23. NSW Products – Gulf of Mexico RADARSAT © CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY RADARSAT is an official mark of the Canadian Space Agency RADARSAT-2 data and products © MacDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES LTD. 2010 – All Rights Reserved RADARSAT is an official mark of the Canadian Space Agency

24. Improved Model – Hurricane Earl CMOD_IFR2 MODEL VV+VH September 2, 23:00 UTC. The eye ~ 33N, 75W

25. NSW Web Portal http://cwinds.ca SharePoint http://nswp.ca National SAR Winds Links