GCOS Atmospheric Surface ECV
Wind Speed and Direction
Contributing Networks & Status

Over land the observation of wind speed and direction is accomplished largely through the WWW/GOS surface synoptic meteorological network. For many locations, however, measurements are only representative of the local area and there are often issues of homogeneity with the wind data. More representative and homogeneous wind speed and direction estimates may be derived from pressure data, and high-frequency pressure data can in particular be useful in stormy situations. Moreover, the higher resolution four-dimensional data assimilation systems now used for reanalysis are capable of making use of hourly data. There has been a significant recent increase in the exchange of three-hourly or hourly data on the GTS, but there remains scope for improvement. Action A2 calls for the more frequent reporting of SYNOP data that is required. This is of particular importance for the characterisation of extreme weather events.
 
Over the oceans, the observations from VOS, including the higher-quality VOSClim, the Tropical Mooring Network, and the Reference Buoy Network (see section 5) provide a sparse but vital data resource. However, there are continuing problems with the representativeness and quality of in situ wind measurements over both the land and ocean.  WMO CBS should encourage national services to submit their data to the International Data Centres and consider advice on approaches to improving the value of the data.
 
Spaceborne scatterometer and passive microwave radiometer data have been demonstrated to be invaluable sources for wind field information over the ocean, especially when coupled with the in situ observations in an integrated analysis product. Systematic and sustained deployment of a two-scatterometer constellation or equivalent wind-measuring systems is a key requirement. Scatterometers in particular provide large coverage and a spatial resolution of wind speed and direction that matches the scales of ocean variability. The CEOS Ocean Surface Vector Wind Constellation is working towards coordinated space agency action in this area.

(Source: WMO/IOC Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (2010 Update) GCOS-138/GOOS-184/GTOS-76/WMO-TD/No. 1523)

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