The Use of Satellite Microwave Rainfall Measurements to Predict Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Intensity
The Use of Satellite Microwave Rainfall Measurements to Predict Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Intensity

Author: Derek A. West

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13:

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This proposed study examines the potential use of satellite passive microwave rainfall measurements derived from Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) radiometers onboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) constellation to improve eastern North Pacific Ocean tropical cyclone intensity change forecasting techniques. Relationships between parameters obtained from an operational SSM/I-based rainfall measuring algorithm and 12-, 24-, 36-, 48-, 60- and 72-hour intensity changes from best track data records are examined in an effort to identify statistically significant predictors of intensity change. Correlations between rainfall parameters and intensity change are analyzed using tropical cyclone data from three years, 1992 to 1994. Stratifications based upon tropical cyclone intensity, rate of intensity change, climatology, translation, landfall and synoptic-scale environmental forcing variables are studied to understand factors that may affect a statistical relationship between rainfall parameters and intensity change. The predictive skill of statistically significant rainfall parameters is assessed by using independent tropical cyclone data from another year, 1995. In addition, case studies on individual tropical cyclones are conducted to gain insight on predictive performance and operational implementation issues.

Using SSM/I Data and Computer Vision to Estimate Tropical Cyclone Intensity
Using SSM/I Data and Computer Vision to Estimate Tropical Cyclone Intensity

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 4

ISBN-13:

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Satellite imagery and other remote sensing products often provide the only observational data of tropical cyclones. This is especially true in the western Pacific where aircraft reconnaissance missions stopped in 1987. Manual estimate procedures using satellite imagery (Dvorak, 1984) provide valuable assistance in determining tropical cyclone intensity. An objective Dvorak technique (Velden, et al., 1998) is currently being studied to enhance the manual method. In an effort to take advantage of the unique characteristics (Hawkins, et al., 1998) of Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data, one Naval Research Laboratory effort (outside the scope of this paper) involves the computation of empirical orthogonal functions of SSM/I tropical cyclone data and presenting those values as inputs to a neural network to estimate the tropical cyclone intensity at a given imagery time (May, et al., 1997). The algorithm applied in the research described here also uses SSM/l data, specifically the 85 GHz (H-pol) channel and a derived rain rate product. The 512x512 pixel imagery is cyclone-centered and image characteristics (computer vision features) are computed from the imagery data. A subset of these -features is presented to a pattern recognition algorithm (k-nearest neighbor) and an intensity estimate is provided as output. A description of the imagery characteristics (including available data and computer vision features) and feature selection methodology is provided in section two. Section three is a discussion of the algorithm used to automate the tropical cyclone intensity estimate and the current evaluation results.

Correcting for Precipitation Effects in Satellite-based Passive Microwave Tropical Cyclone Intensity Estimates
Correcting for Precipitation Effects in Satellite-based Passive Microwave Tropical Cyclone Intensity Estimates

Author: Robert S. Wacker

Publisher:

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13:

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Accurate tropical cyclone (TC) intensity estimates are best achieved from satellite observations. The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) has operated since 1998 on polar-orbiting environmental satellites and is able to measure the warm temperature anomaly in the upper troposphere above a TC's center. Through hydrostatic equilibrium, this warm anomaly is roughly proportional to the TC's sea-level pressure anomaly. Based on this principle, the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) provides near real-time AMSU-based estimates of TC minimum sea-level pressure (MSLP) to forecast centers worldwide. These estimates are as accurate as the benchmark Dvorak technique, but are subject to error caused by precipitation effects (primarily brightness temperature reduction by scattering) on the AMSU 55 GHz channels sensitive to upper-tropospheric temperature. Simulated AMSU brightness temperatures (TB's) are produced by a polarized reverse Monte Carlo radiative transfer model using representative TC precipitation profiles. Results suggest that precipitation depression of high-frequency window channel TB's is correlated with depression of sounding channel TB's and can be used to correct for scattering effects on the AMSU channels used in TC intensity estimates. Analysis of AMSU data over the tropical oceans confirms this, and forms the basis for an empirical scattering correction using AMSU 31 and 89 GHz TB's. This scattering correction reduces CIMSS TC MSLP algorithm RMS error by 10% in a 7-year, 497 observation sample.

Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2006-09-22

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 0309102820

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Launched jointly in 1997 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is a satellite mission that placed a unique suite of instruments, including the first precipitation radar, in space. These instruments are used to monitor and predict tropical cyclone tracks and intensity, estimate rainfall, and monitor climate variability (precipitation and sea surface temperature). TRMM has been collecting data for seven years; this data is used by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the National Center for Environmental Prediction, and the National Hurricane Center, among others worldwide. In July 2004, NASA announced that it would terminate TRMM in August 2004. At the request of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the White House, and the science community, NASA agreed to continue TRMM operations through the end of 2004. Meanwhile, NASA asked a National Research Council (NRC) committee to provide advice on the benefits of keeping TRMM in operation beyond 2004. After holding a workshop with a number of experts in the field, the committee found that TRMM will contribute significantly to operations and science if the mission is extended; and therefore, strongly recommends continued operation of TRMM with the caveat that cost and risk will need to be further examined before a final decision about the future of TRMM can be made.

Tropical Cyclone Dynamics, Prediction, and Detection
Tropical Cyclone Dynamics, Prediction, and Detection

Author: Anthony Lupo

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2016-11-02

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9535127020

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Today, tropical cyclones continue to bring destruction, as well as disruption, to societies that are exposed to their threat. This book represents a compilation of recent cutting-edge research on tropical cyclones and their impacts from researchers at many institutions around the world. This book contains new looks at tropical cyclone dynamics, the use of satellite-based remote sensing in the detection and climatology of tropical cyclones, and the modeling and prediction of tropical cyclones as well as their associated impacts. This book would make a nice addition to any course on tropical meteorology highlighting topics of interest in recent research on this topic.

Monitoring and Prediction of Tropical Cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Climate Change
Monitoring and Prediction of Tropical Cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Climate Change

Author: U.C. Mohanty

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-10-12

Total Pages: 435

ISBN-13: 9400777205

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This book deals with recent advances in our understanding and prediction of tropical cyclogenesis, intensification and movement as well as landfall processes like heavy rainfall, gale wind and storm surge based on the latest observational and numerical weather prediction (NWP) modeling platforms. It also includes tropical cyclone (TC) management issues like early warning systems, recent high impact TC events, disaster preparedness, assessment of risk and vulnerability including construction, archiving and retrieval of the best tracking and historical data sets, policy decision etc., in view of recent findings on climate change aspects and their impact on TC activity. The chapters are authored by leading experts, both from research and operational environments. This book is relevant to cyclone forecasters and researchers, managers, policy makers, graduate and undergraduate students. It intends to stimulate thinking and hence further research in the field of TCs and climate change, especially over the Indian Ocean region and provides high-quality reference materials for all the users mentioned above for the management of TCs over this region.