The SSM/I estimated rainfall amounts of tropical cyclones and their potential in predicting the cyclone intensity changes

Abstract

Special Sensor Microwave/Imager rainfall rates from 27 map times of 12 typhoons were computed. Mean rainfall rates were computed for various rectangular areas within a typhoon. Those storms filled the mean areal rainfall-rate distributions along an x axis that showed several maxima. Rain volume rates within boxes of various sizes centered on the storms correlated differently with the future 24-h pressures. Correlation between these two parameters was -0.68 for a 444-km box, -0.38 for a 666-km box, and 0.10 for a 888-km box. Results further showed that a northwestward-moving storm was likely to deepen, if lighter (≤3 mm h-1) rainfall rates dominated a 222-km box. -from Authors