Detection of Tropical Cyclone PHET Using 19.35GHz SSM/I Data

For detection of the cyclone PHET, brightness temperature data (BT) of Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) sensor at 19.35GHz over Arabian Sea (AS) was procured for the year 2010. In order to trace the cyclone PHET; study of the cyclone affected area before and after striking of the cyclone affected day is done. During analysis at 19.35GHz, the BT and rain rate data over cyclonic area was found to be exceptionally high when compared with the ordinary days. This behavior could be due to the presence of rain clouds during cyclone that emit more radiation at lower frequency (<37GHz) than the background ocean and cloud free atmosphere. Surface roughness that is caused by high winds increases the BT. As a result at 19.35GHz the BT is found to be high at cyclonic areas as this frequency is greatly affected by rains and high winds. This result shows an insight to detect the natural hazards using passive microwave remote sensing.