Monday, 29 April 2002
The application and use of UW-CIMSS specialized satellite products in Tropical analysis
Weather analysis and forecasting over the tropical and subtropical oceans remains a difficult challenge to operational forecasters given sparse in-situ data. Recent advances in space-based remote sensing platforms have provided greater data coverage necessary to aid forecasters in locating and diagnosing features not resolvable from other means. Collaborative efforts between TPC and UW-CIMSS are underway in order to evaluate the application of newly advanced satellite-derived products and algorithms in an operational setting. These new products and tools have shown skill in locating and defining the strength of features such as hurricane intensity, transitioning tropical cyclones, easterly waves, and shear zones as well as the associated wind field interactions with environmental features not always easily discernible in satellite imagery alone. In regards to the new diagnostic analyses, animation has proven useful in long-term tracking of these features as well as locating their origin. This paper highlights the more commonly used products at TPC as well as their operational application.
Supplementary URL: