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The mechanisms of surface wind variability observed by Aerodrome Meteorological Observation System at Incheon International Airport (IIA), located near the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, are investigated using cyclostationary empirical orthogonal function (CSEOF) analysis. Despite the complex nature of surface wind, as various factors contribute to its variance, distinct features of surface wind variability are separated reasonably into CSEOF modes. The physical interpretation of each mode using the ERA‐Interim reanalysis data is accomplished through regression analysis in CSEOF space. In essence, three atmospheric features dominate the surface wind variability: East Asian monsoon, land–sea breeze, and baroclinic waves. East Asian monsoon, the first mode, explains ~12% of the total variance of the surface wind at IIA. The annual reversal of the monsoon circulation due to the thermal contrast between the Asian continent and the western Pacific is captured as the single most dominant source of surface wind variability at IIA. The second CSEOF mode reveals that zonal circulation induced by land–sea breeze dominates the diurnal variation of the surface wind at IIA, and explains ~8% of the total variance. The largest fraction of variability is associated with baroclinic waves, which is separated into many CSEOF modes due to their irregular phase and wavelength, and the locations of vortex centre. Modes 3–10 are all associated with baroclinic waves and they together explain ~42% of the total variance. Baroclinic waves are amplified as they move over the ocean due to strong turbulent flux from the ocean surface induced by the associated upper tropospheric vortices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind resource assessments with onsite wind data are indispensable when estimating the economic feasibility of developing a large-scale commercial offshore wind farm. However, several factors of the data measured from a meteorological mast, including short observation period and instrument errors, may result in uncertainty concerning wind resource assessments. To mitigate the uncertainty of wind resource assessments at the candidate site for a large-scale commercial offshore wind farm, HeMOSU-1, the first offshore meteorological mast in Asia, has been in operation for more than 6 years since it was installed at the western coast of the Korean Peninsula in 2010. A vertical wind lidar was also installed for quantitative evaluations and calibrations of the measured data from HeMOSU-1. This study analyzed several parameters associated with the long-term wind characteristics through cross-validation between HeMOSU-1 and the wind lidar. The parameters affecting the prediction results include the shading effect from the mast, year-to-year variation, the long-term correction methods, and the period of onsite measurements. Based on this analysis, long-term wind potentials are estimated with reliable parameters. • Wind resource is analyzed using measurement data of offshore meteorological mast. • Measurement data of mast is validated and calibrated using wind lidar. • Measurement period significantly affects long-term prediction by MCP method. • Six-year measurement is sufficient to estimate the long-term wind potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]