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Abstract

The optimal interpolation and the Green's function method have been applied successfully to the assimilation of ocean wave spectra retrieved from ERS-1 SAR wave mode spectra into the WAModel. Both assimilation methods determine wind corrections with respect to initial winds. Spectra are partitioned into windsea and swell components and wind corrections are computed from windsea corrections. For both methods the wind corrections are of compatible magnitude. The Green's function determines also wind corrections from swell partitionings, by following the swell component back to its origin. Wind corrections are, therefore, scattered in space and time. It is shown that both assimilation schemes agree quite well and that the assimilation of two dimensional wave spectra is useful to improve modeling of ocean waves and produce wind field corrections as data for meteorological data assimilation.