Microwave Observations of Mesoscale Convective Systems During Tropical Cyclone Genesis in the Western North Pacific

A better understanding of the role mesoscale convective systems MCS play in the genesis stages of tropical cyclones will increase the ability to predict their formation. This thesis employs polar-orbiter microwave and geostationary infrared satellite imagery to document MCS structure and evolution during tropical cyclone genesis. Microwave imagery at frequencies of 19.35 GHz and 85.5 GHz are used to define convective and stratiform cloud areal amounts, percent coverage, and time-integrated rain rates. Collocations with geostationary infrared images are used to calibrate that imagery so that the hourly values may be calculated until another microwave image is available. Specifically, seven MCSs in two disturbances that eventually developed into tropical cyclones were analyzed. Two MCSs in non-developing storms are also described for contrast.