Ocean surface winds and wind waves off the northeastern Japanese coast by combined use of high-resolution active microwave sensors

Wind jets and wind waves off the Pacific coast of northern Japan under the East Asian winter monsoon are investigated from two case studies. We use high-resolution satellite observations of QuikSCAT and ERS-2 SAR for wind, and Topex/Poseidon and ERS-2 Radar Altimeter for significant wave height. Combined use of QuikSCAT and SAR allows us to capture the surface wind transition from the shore to the offshore. They verify that the wind jets and wakes are extensions of terrestrial gaps and blockages. Variations of significant wave height observed by the altimeters are compared with those of surface wind derived from QuikSCAT and SAR along the altimeter ground tracks. The positions of local maxima and minima of significant wave height and squares of wind speeds coincide with each other. This demonstrates an important role of coastal topography in wind modification and the resulting offshore wind wave development.