A wind speed retrieval algorithm by combining 6 and 10 GHz data from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer: Wind speed inside hurricanes

A wind speed retrieval algorithm was developed using 6 and 10 GHz h-pol (6H and 10H) data of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) aboard the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite-II (ADEOS-II) and AMSR-E aboard AQUA, for the purpose of retrieving wind speed inside rainstorms, primarily hurricanes and typhoons. The h-pol was used rather than the v-pol, because the brightness temperature sensitivity to the ocean wind at h-pol is larger than v-pol. The microwave emission change of 6H and 10H corresponding to ocean wind was evaluated in no-rain areas by combining AMSR and SeaWinds data aboard the ADEOS-II (SeaWinds was NASA’s scatterometer), and it was found that the ratio of the two 6H to 10H increments due to ocean wind is 0.9. Assuming that this result also holds with higher wind speeds and under rainy conditions, the brightness temperatures at 6H and 10H were simulated using a microwave radiative transfer model. A parameter W6 (unit; Kelvin) was then defined, representing an increment at 6H due to ocean wind. W6 is applicable to rainy areas, and to all ranges of sea surface temperature. W6 was compared with wind speed reported by the National Hurricanes Center for several hurricanes in the Western Atlantic Ocean during three years (2002 to 2004). W6 averaged around centers of hurricanes was found to exhibit a sensitivity to wind speed, such as increasing from 22 K to 65 K as the wind speed rose from 65 to 140 knots (33 to 72 m/s), and an empirical relationship relating the averaged W6 to wind speed in hurricanes was derived.