Sovremennye problemy distantsionnogo zondirovaniya Zemli iz kosmosa, 2009, Issue 6, Vol. 2, pp. 111-117
Statistical characteristics, structure and parameters of mesoscale
cyclones over the Okhotsk Sea from satellite microwave and optical
data
И.А. Гурвич
, М.Л. Митник
, Л.М. Митник
Тихоокеанский океанологический институт им В.И. Ильичева ДВО РАН, 690041, Владивосток, ул. Балтийская, 43
At the first time, statistical research of mesoscale cyclogenesis over the Okhotsk Sea is carried out. It
was based on analysis of the satellite visible and infrared images acquired by Terra and Aqua MODIS in
2003-2008. The comprehensive analysis of evolution and structure of a mesocyclone observed over the
Okhotsk Sea on 30-31 December 2004 was performed. Visible and infrared satellite images were
compared with Aqua AMSR-E passive microwave measurements, as well as with the fields of total water
vapor content and total cloud liquid water content retrieved from AMSR-E data. Zones of probable
precipitation were revealed from the reduced: they manifested themselves as the zones with the reduced
brightness temperatures at 89.0 GHz with vertical polarization. Mesoscale features of the sea surface
wind were considered by comparing of QuikSCAT-derived wind field with brightness variations of
Envisat ASAR image. Advantages of the usage of satellite SAR images in location of the mesocyclones
center and revealing of the fine details of their structure are emphasized.
Keywords: mesoscale cyclones, the Okhotsk Sea, satellite data, microwave and optical bands
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