Evaluation of CYGNSS-Based TC Structure and Intensity Estimates

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation is designed to provide observations of surface wind speed in and near the inner core of tropical cyclones (TCs) with high temporal resolution throughout the storm’s life cycle.

CYGNSS is well suited to provide estimates of TC metrics which describe the wind structure, size, and intensity of TCs. A set of CYGNSS products have been developed for TC diagnosis. These level-4 products provide information that is valuable for situational awareness and science applications.

Post-launch, level-4 TC parameter algorithm development continues; methods are being updated and optimized for on-orbit data. Estimates of integrated kinetic energy, wind radii, radius of maximum wind speed, and maximum wind speed are produced from two main inputs: an estimate of the storm center during the CYGNSS coverage time and the level-2 wind speed estimates provided from the CYGNSS mission. This presentation will describe the algorithm updates and characterize its performance. Quality control methods—based on the performance analysis—will also be discussed and defined.