Hurricane Wind Vector Estimates from WindSat Polarimetric Radiometer

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA453792 | Open PDF

Abstract:

WindSat is the worlds first microwave polarimetric radiometer, designed to measure ocean vector winds. In late 2004, the first preliminary oceanic wind vector results were released, and this paper presents the first evaluation of this product for several Atlantic hurricanes during the 2003 season. Both wind speed and wind direction comparisons will be made with surface wind analysis HWind developed by the NOAA Hurricane Research Division HRD and provided by the NOAA National Hurricane Center NHC. Examples are presented where HRD aircraft flights were conducted within several hours of the WindSat overpass. These HWind surface wind analyses provide the most complete independent surface winds comparison data set available. Both WindSat retrieved wind speeds and wind directions are evaluated against HWind as a function of storm quadrant. To complement the analysis, rain rates were derived using WindSat brightness temperatures with a modified version of the TMI 2A12 heritage rain algorithm. Effects of rain on the derived wind speeds and directions are discussed.

Author(s):
Adams, Ian S. ; Hennon, Christopther C. ; Jones, W. L. ; Ahmad, Khalil
Author Organization(s):
MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING CONSULTANTS COCOA BEACH FL
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
Prepared in collaboration with University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Miami, FL. Presented at the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (25th) (IGARSS 2005) held 25-29 Jul 2005 in Seoul, Korea. Published in the 2005 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium Proceedings; see also ADM001850. The original document contains color images.
Pagination:
0005

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited. This Document Is Not Available From Dtic In Microfiche.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
NRL/RS
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_8_Building Partnerships
Modernization Areas:
Space
Communities of Interest:
Space
Descriptor(s):
*WIND DIRECTION, *WIND VELOCITY, *RADIOMETERS, *SATELLITE IMAGERY, SYMPOSIA, HURRICANES, WIND DIRECTION INDICATORS, TROPICAL CYCLONES, MICROWAVE FREQUENCY, POLARIMETRY, METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITES
Field(s)/Group(s):
Meteorology, Cartography and Aerial Photography, Operations Research, Cybernetics
Keyword(s):
COMPONENT REPORTS, MICROWAVE POLARIMETRIC RADIOMETERS, WINDSAT(SATELLITE SENSOR), PASSIVE WIND VECTOR RETRIEVALS, PASSIVE MICROWAVE POLARIMETRY, WIND FIELDS, GPROF(GODDARD PROFILING ALGORITHM)
Report Date:
2005 Jul 25
Creation Date:
2006 Sep 27