The VIERS scatterometer algorithm

Various backscatter theories have been investigated in a tank experiment. A simple t.wo-scale model performed better than other more complicated models. In combination with an air-sea interaction module the two-scale model provides the physical basis for the present Viers scatterometer algorithm. A first test of the algorithm with ECMWF and ERS-1 data shows that the model σ0 values agree with those of the satellite. At low winds the algorithm performs better than the operational CMOD4.