Wind averaging duration for "10m u-component of wind"?

Datasets and Usage C3S - Datasets and Usage
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Hello folks,

I'm using the dataset "ERA5 hourly data on single levels from 1979 to present", specifically the "10m u-component of wind" (and v-component).

I'm wondering, what is the wind averaging duration for "10m u-component of wind"? Is it 10-minute wind or 1-hour wind?

I specifically need to use 10-minute wind. So if the "10m u-component of wind" is 1-hour wind, I may need to apply a factor to convert the "10m u-component of wind" to 10-min wind.

I looked through the documents/references, but did not find a specific explanation on the averaging duration.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!


Jim


2

Hi Jim, as the ERA5 model does not resolve the microscale part of the spectra, the effective temporal resolution of the model is 1 to 2 hours. Check out https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148118303677. 


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Best regards

Rémi

3

Hi Jim,

For ERA5 hourly single-level data, the 10 m u/v wind components are generally treated as instantaneous parameters valid at the specified time, not as a 10-minute mean or a 1-hour mean.

So, in general, the ERA5 hourly 10 m wind should not be interpreted as a 1-hour averaged wind speed. It is closer to a time-stamped instantaneous model value at that hour. However, it is still a grid-box representative value, not a point measurement, so it will not capture the high-frequency variability seen in station observations.

A helpful ECMWF explanation is here: Parameters valid at the specified time

Best regards