ارزیابی میدان باد ماهواره‌ای QuikSCAT در دریاهای مجاور ایران با استفاده از داده‌های باد ایستگاههای سینوپتیک و مدلهای عددی جوی

The goal of this study was to provide quality assurance for QuikSCAT wind speed and direction in Iranian adjacent seas including the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Synoptic station wind data and numerical atmospheric models in the study area were compared with QuikSCAT wind field. Time difference and spatial separation between the QuikSCAT and synoptic observations were limited to less than 1 hr and 45 km, respectively. The average and standard deviation of QuikSCAT wind speeds are more than those of synoptic stations and numerical atmospheric models. The accuracy of the QuikSCAT wind direction at low wind speed range is less satisfactory than that at moderate to high wind ranges. QuikSCAT wind speeds in the range of 5-15 m/s have an acceptable level of accuracy in southern seas. Large spatial separation between some of the synoptic stations in Iranian coastline and islands is a major limitation of this research. This is the first time that QuikSCAT wind field was evaluated against observed and modeled data in Iranian seas. QuikSCAT wind field can be used as a valuable source in wave hindcast/forecast modeling.