Applications of remotely-sensed latent heating distributions from a PR-trained, satellite microwave radiometer algorithm

An algorithm for estimating latent heating (Q1-QR) from passive microwave radiometer measurements is applied to TMI observations in the tropics and subtropics. These latent heating data are combined with estimates of radiative heating to yield estimates of the apparent heat source (Q1). Comparisons between the TMI estimates and heating estimates from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) and from rawinsonde diagnostic budgets are favorable, although some biases due to differences in sampling and the limited sensitivity of the TMI are noted.

TMI estimates of precipitation and latent heating are used to characterize the seasonal cycle in the tropics and the progression of the Madden Julian Oscillation. Heating profiles are separated into convective and stratiform modes of different depths, and the relative contributions of each mode are quantified. Results of this work will be presented at the conference.