Comparison of special sensor microwave imager vector wind stress with model-derived and subjective products for the tropical Pacific

The SSM/I data are shown to be most similar to the ECMWF analysis and the subjective analysis of satellite-derived cloud motion wind vectors (SAWIN) performed at the University of Hawaii. The basin-wide mean rms difference between the SSM/I data and these two products is 0.18 dyn cm^-2 for τ^x and 0.10-0.12 dyn cm^-2 for τ^y. In order to place these differences within context, the basin-wide mean standard deviation for the temporal variability is found to be 0.23-0.26 dyn cm^-2 for τ^x and 0.15-0.16 dyn cm^-2 for τ^y. On regional scales, some of the differences among these products are greater than 0.3 dyn cm ^-2. The ECMWF and SAWIN analyses are the most similar (basin-wide mean rms difference τ^x = 0.16 dyn cm^-2, τ^y = 0.11 dyn cm^-2) of the possible product versus product comparisons. -from Authors