Improved geophysical algorithms are shown to be capable of determining sea surface temperature (SST) to an accuracy of 1 ¿C (1&sgr;) under favorable surface and atmospheric conditions over the SST range of 10--30 ¿C. Under similar conditions the radiometer wind retrievals track the scatterometer winds within a scatter of 2 m/s (1&sgr;) over the wind speed range of 0--25 m/s. These conditions require that contamination from land, sun glint, rain and radio frequency interference be avoided. Furthermore, water vapor determinations in the midlatitudes and in the tropical Pacific agree with estimates of precipitable water from radiosondes to within 10%.