On the Assimilation of CFOSAT Wave Data in the Wave Model MFWAM : Verification Phase

Abstract

The China-France Oceangraphy SATellite (CFOSAT) is an innovative satellite mission with wind and waves measurements on oceans. This paper aims to evaluate the first results of the assimilation of the wave data provided by CFOSAT in the wave model MFWAM. Model runs are implemented during the Calibration/Validation phase of the mission. The results are compared to the wave data from altimeters and buoys. The first results are promising and indicate a significant improvement of wave heights in the different ocean basins (high latitudes, intermediate latitudes and the tropics). Azimuthal cut-off sensitivity tests for the SWIM wave spectra are also examined in this study. We also discussed the impact of combined wave spectra and the ones from the incidence angles of SWIM (6, 8 and 10°). In other respects this study also investigate the complementary use of SWIM and SAR from CFOSAT and SAR from Sentinel-1 for combined assimilation in the wave model MFWAM