Currently, for continuous monitoring of wind products—particularly vertical winds—we are largely dependent on state-of-the-art instruments such as radar wind profilers. However, with the advancement of satellite sensors, it has become possible to retrieve wind information from space-based observations to some extent. I would like to know the current status of satellite-based retrievals of vertical wind profiles, and whether they are likely to replace radar wind profilers in the future.
No, satellite measurements will not replace radar wind profilers (RWPs) because they serve complementary roles, with satellites providing global, albeit less dense, data and RWPs offering high-resolution, ground-based data with greater accuracy for specific altitudes and regions. While advancements in satellite technology are improving wind measurement capabilities, especially for three-dimensional wind profiles, RWPs remain essential for filling gaps in global wind observation networks and providing validation for satellite data.
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