Assessing hurricane intensity using satellites

Abstract

Tropical cyclones spend most of their life cycle over the tropical and subtropical oceans. Because of the lack of in situ data in these regions, satellite observations are fundamental for tracking and estimating the intensity of these storms for real-time forecasting and monitoring climate trends. This chapter reviews methods for estimating tropical cyclone intensity from satellites, including those based on visible, infrared, and microwave instruments. Satellite intensity estimates are transitioning from subjective to objective methods, and new instruments on the next generation of NOAA low-earth orbiting and geostationary satellites hold promise for continued improvement in satellite analysis of tropical cyclones.