1

Tropical Cloud Systems and Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes (TCSP) ExperimentProcesses (TCSP) Experiment

Science Team

25 Principal Investigators from 5 NASA centers, 10 universities, 2 other government agencies Collaborative partners with NOAA, CENAT, IMN, UCR

Field Operations

Conducted during July 1-30, 2005 Measurement platforms include high and medium aircraft, unpiloted aerial vehicle, weather balloons, satellites NASA field command center located at San Jose, Costa Rica

2

Evolution of TCSP Research Evolution of TCSP Research GoalsGoals

CAMEX-3• Inner core dynamics• Synoptic flow environment• Landfalling intensity change• Genesis environment

CAMEX-4• Rapid intensification• Storm movement• Structure and dynamics• Scale interactions• Remote sensing techniques

Improve the understanding and prediction of tropical cyclone genesis, intensity, motion, rainfall potential, and landfall impacts by remote and in situ sensing of three phases of water from spaceborne and airborne platforms

3

NASA Hurricane Science: ThreeNASA Hurricane Science: Three ProngsProngs

1. Satellite Remote Sensors1. Satellite Remote Sensors

2. Field Campaigns to Investigate Hurricanes2. Field Campaigns to Investigate Hurricanes

3. Numerical Models3. Numerical Models

NASA ER-2NASA ER-2

AerosondeAerosonde

NOAA P3NOAA P3

4

NASA Satellites:TRMM

HurricaneIsabel, Atlantic,2003

Composite of TRMMVIRS, TMI, PR

5

NASA Satellites:QuikSCAT

HurricaneHoward, EPAC,2004

6

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

AMSR-E

PrecipitationRadar

LightningImaging SensorMODIS

TRMMMicrowaveImager

ER-2 Doppler Radar

Advanced MicrowavePrecipitation Radiometer

NASA ER-2:Virtual Satellite

7

NASA Hurricane Science: ThreeNASA Hurricane Science: Three ProngsProngs

1. Satellite Remote Sensors1. Satellite Remote Sensors

2. Field Campaigns to Investigate Hurricanes2. Field Campaigns to Investigate Hurricanes

3. Numerical Models3. Numerical Models

NASA ER-2NASA ER-2

AerosondeAerosonde

NOAA P3NOAA P3