Cloud-tracer winds from the GMS-I satellite are evaluated in the Australian region for a three-day period during the second Special Observing Period of the First GARP Global Experiment. The evaluation methodology is based on a comparison of GMS-1 winds which fall within the ranges of 220, 330 and 550 km of land-based. wind stations. Using the concept of a ‘level of minimum difference’ (LMD), the minimum expected root mean square (r.m.s.) errors are evaluated in the two broad categories of ‘upper-level’ and ‘lower-level’ winds. Root mean square errors in the absence of the LMD restriction are also calculated. The results highlight the necessity for quality controls on the data particularly in the height assignment of winds calculated using cirriform tracers. With such controls the GMS winds can usefully augment the data base for the Australian region.
Tsuchiya et al. (Tue,) studied this question.