CYGNSS Observations and Analysis of Low-Latitude Extratropical Cyclones
Juan A. Crespo, Catherine M. Naud, Derek J. Posselt
Abstract
Abstract Latent and sensible heat fluxes over the oceans are believed to play an important role in the genesis and evolution of marine-based extratropical cyclones (ETCs) and affect rapid cyclogenesis. Observations of ocean surface heat fluxes are limited from existing in situ and remote sensing platforms, which may not offer sufficient spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, substantial precipitation frequently veils the ocean surface around ETCs, limiting the capacity of spaceborne instruments to observe the surface processes within maturing ETCs. Although designed as a tropics-focused mission, the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) can observe ocean surface wind speed and heat fluxes within a notable quantity of low-latitude extratropical fronts and cyclones. These observations can assist in understanding how surface processes may play a role in cyclogenesis and evolution. This paper illustrates CYGNSS’s capability to observe extratropical cyclones manifesting in various ocean basins throughout the globe and shows that the observations provide a robust sample of ETCs winds and surface fluxes, as compared with a reanalysis dataset.