A Study of Typhoons using SASS Wind Data observed by Seasat-1

Abstract

   We studied the utility of SASS (Seasat-A scatterometer system) wind data observed during 3 months in the summer season of 1978.
   Results were reported in the Annual Research Report, 1981 for the Meteorological Research Institute. The author selected one wind using streamline analysis for four winds and analyzed the surface wind characteristics of the Typhoon.
   Many lower weak spiral cloud bands observed by GMS VIS agreed with a flow pattern of winds selected from SASS data.
   A general flow at the 900 m height level translated wind (using Blackadar relation. 1962) and the Typhoon circulation wind were divided clearly in the case of shallow storms, but were not divided clearly in moderate Typhoons. Sharp spiral cloud bands corresponded well with the confluence wind zone. The center calculated by RMSE (root mean square error) method using SASS winds agreed well with the position gained by Reconnaissance flight and other methods.