Microwave Polarimetric Signal From Hurricane Environment

Abstract

This study presents the simulated and observed microwave polarimetric signals associated with atmospheric hydrometeors and ocean surfaces. It is shown that the spherical raindrops in the atmosphere produce a pronounced polarization difference and the magnitude increases as the viewing angle increases. Deformed raindrops (e.g., spheroids) also induce much larger polarization differences if their major axes are oriented horizontally. In hurricane conditions, polarimetric measurements at 10.7 GHz and 37 GHz, especially for the 3^rd and 4^th Stokes components, vary within a few degree of Kelvin and provide unique information on surface wind direction although the scattering and emission from atmospheric hydrometeors are much pronounced at 37 GHz.