NOAA CoastWatch distributes science quality wind stress data in zonal, meridional, modulus, and wind stress curl sets. This data begins with wind velocity measurements from the SeaWinds instrument onboard NASA's QuikSCAT satellite. SeaWinds is a microwave scatterometer designed to measure surface winds over the global ocean. NOAA CoastWatch processes wind velocity to wind stress and wind stress curl.

Remote Sensing Inc. distributes science quality wind velocity data from the SeaWinds instrument onboard NASA's QuikSCAT satellite. SeaWinds is a microwave scatterometer designed to measure surface winds over the global ocean. Wind velocity fields are provided in zonal, meridional, and modulus sets. The reference height for all wind velocities is 10 meters.