Further Development and Validation of ARCHER: The Satellite-Based Automated TC Center-Fixing Algorithm

The Automated Rotational Center Hurricane Eye Retrieval (ARCHER) algorithm is an objective method designed to produce TC center-fixes from multi-spectral satellite observations. The most recent version of this algorithm combines information from geostationary (infrared, visible) and polar-orbiting (microwave) satellites to produce an optimized track. In addition to center fixes, ARCHER also includes a retrieval of eye and core structure characteristics from the 85GHz microwave observations. These are formulated into TC organization scores, which are then statistically related to estimates of TC intensity.

ARCHER is still under development, but has been in use for several years at CIMSS in support the Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT), an objective algorithm that is widely employed to estimate TC intensity. ARCHER has also been used successfully in several research ventures. The National Hurricane Center Joint Hurricane Testbed is supporting further development and validation in anticipation of operational implementation in the near future. This poster will highlight the latest results of the algorithm validation against best-track and reconnaissance positions, and discuss the implications of these results for potential real-time operations.