3C.4
Surface evidence of tropical cyclogenesis
Mark A. Bourassa, Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies/Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; and P. Cunningham and P. D. Reasor
The sparseness of in-situ data (from aircraft, ships, and buoys) in the regions typical of tropical cyclone genesis has made the study of tropical cyclone genesis difficult. Recently, it has been found that a surface vorticity signal (from satellite data) can often be identified days before the development of a tropical storm. An objective technique utilizes SeaWinds on QuikSCAT vector winds to locate incipient tropical cyclones far closer to their genesis, as well as many systems that fail to develop. This study is applied to most of the last four Atlantic hurricane seasons, with QuikSCAT coverage beginning in late July 1999. Observations from SeaWinds on Midori-II are also used when available during the 2003 Atlantic season. Our objective technique for identifying incipient tropical cyclones is used to track systems at their earliest identifiable stages. The preliminary results discussed herein describe our ability to use satellite data to identify and track potential tropical cyclones. .
Session 3C, Tropical Cyclogenesis III
Monday, 3 May 2004, 1:30 PM-3:15 PM, Napoleon II Room
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