The altimeter data will be used to accurately quantify the qualitative IR data. More exact positioning of current fronts and the strength of current variations seen in the IR data will be made. The high rate data are composed of 10 samples per second which leads to an along track spacing of 0.6 km in contrast to the normally used altimeter data which is composed of 1 second averages leading to 6 km resolution along track. The higher rate data allows much more accurate determination of front positions and current variations associated with the fronts. The setup due to the annual wind variation over the region can be accurately measured, and the zonal regional slope will be examined in conjunction with imagery to determine effects of relaxation of the winter monsoonal winds.
Tides are a large contamination source for altimeter data.
Two methods for alleviating this contamination will be used. The first is an empirical removal of all variability at tide frequencies. Removing variability at the frequencies will not effect the seasonal variability which we are interested in. A second method to remove tide contamination is to produce an improved tide model. This tide solution may be used to set boundary conditions to create a more accurate tide within the Yellow and East China Seas.