CIRA Efforts to Expand the Availability and Use of Tropical Cyclone Centered Microwave Imagery

CIRA has researched, developed, and transitioned several tropical cyclone (TC) products into operations in support of forecast centers. One focus area has been the collection, archiving, and display of passive microwave products. Currently, CIRA’s TC Realtime webpage¹ displays images in the 89 GHz frequency range from a limited subset of operational low-Earth orbiting satellites. In particular, images from the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU), the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI), and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) are available. These images are organized in a central location and are readily available to forecasters and other users to assist in making timely forecasts and decisions in the face of constantly evolving storms.

This presentation highlights ongoing efforts to improve the quantity and quality of microwave imagery available on TC Realtime. One main development has been the transition to in-house processing of the data in lieu of pulling static images from a legacy NESDIS McIDAS server. This has given us more control over how the images are processed and allows us to deliver a more uniform display across products. In addition to improvements made in the 89 GHz imagery, we have expanded the number of channels being displayed by including images from the 37 GHz frequency range. Showing images from multiple channels provides a more complete picture of the TC structure. In particular, the 89 GHz range gives information on the location of deep convection, whereas the 37 GHz range helps identify the location of low-level liquid precipitation. The methods for data ingest, processing, and display developed for the products shown in this presentation are designed to be generic, in hopes of expanding what is available in the future to include additional channels, sensors, and microwave-based products. We welcome any feedback on how to improve our products in an effort to enhance their use within the community.

¹https://rammb-data.cira.colostate.edu/tc_realtime/