Mesoscale resolution capability of altimetry: Present and future

Abstract Wavenumber spectra of along‐track Sea Surface Height from the most recent satellite radar altimetry missions [Jason‐2, Cryosat‐2, and SARAL/Altika) are used to determine the size of ocean dynamical features observable with the present altimetry constellation. A global analysis of the along‐track 1‐D mesoscale resolution capability of the present‐day altimeter missions is proposed, based on a joint analysis of the spectral slopes in the mesoscale band and the error levels observed for horizontal wavelengths lower than 20km. The global sea level spectral slope distribution provided by Xu and Fu ( ) with Jason‐1 data is revisited with more recent altimeter missions, and maps of altimeter error levels are provided and discussed for each mission. Seasonal variations of both spectral slopes and altimeter error levels are also analyzed for Jason‐2. SARAL/Altika, with its lower error levels, is shown to detect smaller structures everywhere. All missions show substantial geographical and temporal variations in their mesoscale resolution capabilities, with variations depending mostly on the error level change but also on slight regional changes in the spectral slopes. In western boundary currents where the signal to noise ratio is favorable, the along‐track mesoscale resolution is approximately 40 km for SARAL/AltiKa, 45 km for Cryosat‐2, and 50 km for Jason‐2. Finally, a prediction of the future 2‐D mesoscale sea level resolution capability of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission is given using a simulated error level.