Comparison of Typhoon Locations over Ocean Surface Observed by Various Satellite Sensors

Abstract

Abstract:In this study, typhoon eyes have been delineated using wavelet analysis from the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of ocean surface roughness and from the warm area at the cloud top in the infrared (IR) images, respectively. Envisat SAR imagery, and multi-functional transport satellite (MTSAT) and Feng Yun (FY)-2 Chinese meteorological satellite IR imagery were used to examine the typhoons in the western North Pacific from 2005 to 2011. Three cases of various typhoons in different years, locations, and conditions have been used to compare the typhoon eyes derived from SAR (on the ocean surface) with IR (at the cloud-top level) images. Furthermore, the best track data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Chinese Meteorological Administration (CMA), and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) are checked for the calibration. Because of the vertical wind shear, which acts as an upright tilt, the location of the typhoon eye on the ocean surface differs from that at the top of the clouds. Consequently, the large horizontal distance between typhoon eyes on the ocean surface and on the cloud top implies that the associated vertical wind shear profile is considerably more complex than generally expected. This result demonstrates that SAR can be a useful tool for typhoon monitoring study over the ocean surface.

Illuminating the Capabilities of the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band

“…Satellite-based methods (e.g., [74,75]) are best equipped to provide continuous monitoring, and lowlight visible imagery provides an enhancement to nighttime capabilities. Figure 14 chronicles the dissipation of Hurricane Nadine over the course of three consecutive nights, and the power of low-light visible information in tracking the storm during this process.…”

Revisiting the Characteristics of Super Typhoon Saola (2023) Using GPM, Himawari-9 and FY-4B Satellite Data

“…Satellites are a significant tool for typhoon studies. They can detect typhoon clouds without geographical limitation and can continuously observe global atmospheric motions, cloud evolutions, and precipitation [15][16][17][18]. Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) is a continuation of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), which carried the world's first satellite-borne Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and a multichannel GPM Microwave Imager (GMI), providing quantitative estimates of the particle size distribution of precipitation [19].…”

Ocean Dynamics Observed by the VIIRS Day-Night Band Measurements

“…Given its ability to detect both natural and artificial light sources, DNB nighttime low-light observations are expanding our sphere of knowledge for the natural sciences and social sciences [7]. Using VIIRS DNB measurements, Earth's cryosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere can be further characterized [7], e.g., detecting diffused light at the cloud top with nearby lightning flashes [8], retrieving low-level circulation of tropical cyclones via moonlight reflectance [7,9], detecting and assessing marine bioluminescence and biomass burning [10,11], and deriving nighttime air quality information [12]. In addition, DNB observations are useful for societal benefits with various applications such as identifying ship track and boat locations [13,14], measuring and monitoring light power and electricity supply reliability [2,15,16], assessing and evaluating urban development and population dynamics [17,18], and estimation of the improvement and progress of global and regional economics [19,20].…”