Tropical cyclone surface winds and waves from the Active Microwave Instrument of the ERS-1; comparison to Special Sensor Microwave Imager

Active and passive microwave observations of tropical cyclones from space provide exceptional opportunities for mapping ocean surface characteristics, such as the wind and wave fields, and cloud and precipitation features, which are not readily observable by other means. Special features recognized in the data from the Active Microwave Instrument on the European Remote Sensing Satellite 1, ERS-1, operated as a scatterometer and as a synthetic aperture radar, include strong convergence patterns in the rear of the storms and very long-crested waves. With data from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager, SSM/I, on U.S. Defense Department satellites the increased organization of several parameters of the hydrologic aspects of these storms during the development phase can be quantified. The authors present some examples, discuss scientific uses of these data and developments under way to increase resolution and high wind speed accuracy of the scatterometer.<>