Wind dependence of quasi-specular microwave sea scatter

It is shown that a specular-point scattering model adequately predicts the relation between the average quasi-specular microwave scattering cross section of the sea and the mean wind speed. The mean-square sea slope required in this model varies with both the upper and lower ends of the waveheight spectrum, which in themselves are functions of wind speed. Optical measurements of slopes confirm this physical relationship. Finally, the resultant scattering cross section predicted by the slope-dependent specular-point model is compared with a set of recent measurements, lending credence to the model and interpretation suggested here.