Remotely 'sensed' wind-related products are not always winds.
· Scatterometers derive equivalent neutral winds (Tang and Liu 1996; Verschell et al. 1999 JGR)
· Usually within 0.5 m s-1 of winds
· Differences are a systematic function of atmospheric stratification.
· Ku-Band scatterometers can also derive kinematic stresses or friction velocities (Weissman and Graber 1999 JGR)
· Bypasses the need to consider sea state.
The BVW flux model allows a wide range of inputs:
| Param. | Physical Value |
| 0 | Wind speed |
| 1 | Friction velocity (magnitude) |
| 2 | Surface wind stress (magnitude) |
| 3 | Equivalent neutral wind speed |