Calculation of Pressure in Tropical Cyclones Using Satellite Data

Abstract

The paper studies the possibility of using air temperature and humidity profiles for the determination of pressure in tropical cyclones (TC). The accuracy of air temperature and humidity profile retrieval from AMSU radiometer data is verified using direct radiosonde measurements together with weather station data for the Northwest Pacific. In total, 10 tropical cyclones are analyzed for the period of 2011–2012. The comparison of pressure values inside TC calculated from satellite profiles with weather station data demonstrated good agreement: the linear regression with a slope of 1.014 ± 0.073, a free term of −19 ± 73, and a coefficient of determination R² = 0.73. TC central pressure values calculated from satellite data were compared with the estimates of the Japan Meteorological Agency exhibiting a satisfactory correspondence with a slope of 1.2. The comparison with the estimates of the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (USA) demonstrates worse agreement.