The document discusses the use of ASCAT satellite ocean surface wind data at the NOAA Ocean Prediction Center. It finds that while operational ASCAT data detects some high wind speeds from extratropical cyclones, it has a low bias compared to QuikSCAT data. A new ASCAT wind retrieval algorithm developed by NOAA provides improved high wind speed detection, detecting hurricane-force winds where operational ASCAT only detected storm-force winds. However, reliance solely on ASCAT data after the loss of QuikSCAT degrades warning capability for dangerous high wind events due to ASCAT's nadir gap and coarser resolution.