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Currently Active Tropical Cyclones |
Data from TMI, AMSR-E, and QuikScat are processed in near-real-time (~6 to 36 hours from time of data observation) and are displayed here as a resource for forecasters of tropical cyclones. These data are not meant to be used for individual emergency decision making and are for research purposes only.
QuikScat wind vector and microwave SST maps of active and recent TCs:
 06L FAY
13W NURI
Regional MW OI SST maps and SST values at forecasted storm locations:
Click a region on the map above, or select a region from the list below:
Global
Atlantic
NW Pacific
NE Pacific
SW Pacific
SE Pacific
N Indian
S Indian
The SSTs shown here on the RSS Storm Watch site are a Microwave Optimally Interpolated (MW OI) daily SST that utilizes both TMI and AMSR-E SST retrievals. This new MW OI SST product has good coverage since it utilizes data from two satellites, and is responsive to the most recent observations available. Diurnal warming is removed from this SST product, so it is a good representation of temperature in the upper several meters of sea water. Satellite SST retreivals generally measure the skin temperature (< 1 milimeter), where solar heating can cause warming of ~3° C in low wind. Removing the diurnal warming component leads to a more accurate measurement of the heat energy content in the upper several meters of ocean water, where it is available to a tropical cyclone. See Hurricane Recipe and Heat Engine Fabian. This MW OI SST provides important measurements of the ocean's heat energy in front of tropical cyclones.
 Details on MW OI SSTs.
About SST Storm Maps:
The through-cloud capabilities of the microwave SSTs provide a valuable picture of the ocean surface temperatures in front of a storm path.
In the SST imagery, areas with no data are shown in light grey. This is mostly due to proximity to land, which is shown in dark grey.
The SST Anomaly maps consist of differences between MW OI SSTs and Reynold's SST climatology data. The anomaly maps best reveal mixing/upwelling due to tropical storms.
We update the maps and tracks every 3 hours. Forecasted positions are shown with a dashed black line, with forecasted wind speed indicated by circle diameter.
About QuikScat Storm Viewer:
The SeaWinds Scatterometer (QuikScat) crosses many tropical cyclones approximately twice daily dependent upon storm forward velocity. Plots include QuikScat 10-meter ocean surface vector winds (shown as wind barbs or ambiguities), daily Microwave OI SSTs, and collocated SSM/I rain rates. The winds are derived using the Ku-2001 algorithm. A help button is provided to describe the parts and uses of this TC analysis environment. Active storms are available by clicking on the storm name above. Past storm plots are archived.
About Storm Tracks:
SST Maps: The storm track data (time, location, max sustained wind speed, pressure, and forecast) are published by Tom Metcalf (Hawai`i Solar Astronomy / Tropical Storms, Worldwide). Thanks to Tom for compiling these data from advisories received from the National Hurricane Center, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
QSCAT Viewer: The storm track data are compiled from Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecasting System (ATCF) data provided by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Naval Research Laboratory, Marine Meteorology Division, Monterrey, CA, and the National Hurricane Center.
QuikScat data are produced by Remote Sensing Systems and sponsored by the NASA Ocean Vector Winds Science Team. Data are available at www.remss.com. |
Microwave OI SST data are produced by Remote Sensing Systems and sponsored by National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), the NASA Earth Science Physical Oceanography Program, and the NASA REASoN DISCOVER Project. Data are available at www.remss.com. |
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