Scatterometers are satellite embedded microwave radar specially designed to measure the sea surface wind speed and direction under all weather and cloud conditions. Since the launch of ERS-1 in 1991, sea surface winds have been continuously measured at global scale thanks to an uninterrupted series of missions such as ERS-2; ADEOS-1, QuikSCAT, ADEOS-2 and now METOP-A. We have scanned the complete archive of some of these missions (currently ERS-1, ERS-2, QuikSCAT and METOP-A) in order to identify and register a complete index of all storm observations. Users with a focus on extreme wind events can now access through Naiad this extensive catalogue which spans over more than 17 years. This work was supported by ESA, as part of the enhancement of the legacy of ERS missions.
20/08/2008