Feasibility of tropical cyclone intensity estimation using satellite-borne radiometer measurements: An observing system simulation experiment

• Main Authors: Sieron, Scott B. (Author), Zhang, Fuqing (Author), Emanuel, Kerry Andrew (Contributor)
• Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (Contributor), Emanuel, Kerry (Contributor)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Geophysical Union (AGU), 2014-06-06T19:53:32Z.
• Subjects: Article
• Online Access: Get fulltext

This study evaluates the potential of a proposed technique in using satellite-borne radiometer measurements and weather analyses to estimate the intensity of tropical cyclones. This theory shows that intensity is essentially directly related to the temperature deficit of cloud top versus sea surface, and the surplus in saturation entropy in the eyewall versus its surroundings. The eyewall entropy estimate comes from measurements of cloud top temperature and pressure, and the analysis provides the environmental saturation entropy. An Observing Systems Simulation Experiment was conducted, and the results were compared to those from previous studies using cloud-profiling radar altimetry measurements. The use of cloud top pressure measurements may produce more accurate results. Inherent challenges still require caution in considering operational implementation.
National Science Foundation (U.S.). Graduate Research Fellowship Program (Grant DGE1255832)
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NNX12AJ79G)