Sensitivity of spacebased microwave radiometer observations to ocean surface evaporation

The methodology of spacebased estimation of evaporation (E) and latent heat flux from the ocean is described. Preliminary results of a simulation study with atmospheric radiation transfer model demonstrate that the observed radiances at the frequencies of the Tropical Rain Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) are sensitive to the change of E. An algorithm to retrieve E directly from the radiances observed by TMI is being constructed.