To characterize scatterometer returns from the sea surface near meteorological fronts, we investigated microwave scattering from seas in which long waves are at oblique angles to short waves. We simulate the effects of veering winds on C- and K-u-band scatterometers by using models in which the short waves align with the wind friction velocity u*, but the long waves are at oblique angles to the u* direction. The analysis reveals two main effects due to the rotation of the long wave slope probability density distribution. Azimuthally averaged normalized radar cross-section a(0) decreases as the oblique angle increases. Additionally, two regimes exist. In the small angle regime, azimuthal scans of normalized radar cross-section sigma degrees exhibit features similar to the classic double-maxima pattern for non-veering wind conditions, but the axis of sigma degrees maxima is rotated toward the long-wave axis. In the large angle regime, more than two maxima are apparent in azimuthal scans. Therefore it may be inappropriate to use standard three term Fourier cosine models for some veering wind conditions.
Bliven, LF., Billat, V., Sobieski, P., Guissard, AC., Branger, H., & Giovanangeli, JP. (1995). An Assessment of Veering Wind Effects On Scatterometry From the Sea-surface. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 16(5), 891-903. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431169508954450 (Original work published 1995)