Passive microwave data has provided new tools to assist the tropical cyclone (TC) analyst in their quest to map storm location and intensity. The ability to “see” through non-raining clouds and many upper-level cloud decks that limit visible and infrared (vis/IR) imagery has given the satellite analyst an all weather view of storms globally. Passive microwave data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) have been demonstrated to have significant utility for tropical cyclone reconnaissance.

The Naval Research Laboratory’s tropical cyclone web site has carried out a 3+ year near real-time demonstration by mapping coincident passive microwave, vis/IR data and track information for all active tropical systems around the globe (http:kauai.nrlmry.navy.mil/sat-bin/tc_home). The database and accessibility to researchers and operational warning centers has been crucial in educating all parties on the capabilities, as well as limitations, of observing tropical cyclone characteristics. In addition, the web page has recently added active microwave scatterometer surface wind vectors that can assist in finding the storm’s center as well as the radius of gale force winds.

NRL is now adding passive microwave data from the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU-B). The 89 GHz imagery has shown promise in related applications to mapping storm two-dimensional structure. AMBU-B data from NOAA-15 and 16 will help bridge the temporal gaps, even with their reduced spatial resolution products. Additional data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager and Sounder (SSM/IS) due to be launched this summer will also add to the growing list of passive microwave sensors. The improved swath and coincident imager/sounder hold promise for more than just mapping TC organization.

Examples of TC monitoring for systems of many types (e.g., genesis, fully developed, concentric eyewalls, sheared) will be illustrated with all the data sets noted above. In addition, the potential of using data from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) and Windsat will be addressed as augmentation data sets to the current suite of passive microwave sensors.