Discoveries about tropical cyclones provided by microwave remote sensing

Abstract

This is a review of contributions to knowledge about tropical cyclones (TCs) and their precursors provided by five types of micorwave instruments carried on spaceborne platforms. They include radiometers, scatterometers, altimeters, synthetic aperture radars, SARs and rain radars. A few discoveries have been selected that have lead to improved diagnostics of tropical depressions and cyclones through their precipitation patterns and their wind fields. Some practical applications are included related to forecasting of intensity changes and possible flooding by heavy rains after a TC makes landfall. Other intriguing observations about hurricane eyes and vortex developments are included. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.