An evaluation of the accuracy of tropical cyclone intensities and locations determined from satellite pictures

An attempt is made to evaluate the accuracy of tropical cyclone intensity and location estimates determined from satellite information only. Data from three satellites (ESSA, ATS, DMSP) were used for this study. Operationally qualified groups from the National Environmental Satellite Services in Washington and Miami and from the U.S. Air Force Air Weather Service did the storm intensity and location evaluations. Some 50 storms including hurricanes, tropical storms, and Western Pacific typhoons comprised the data sample. The results indicate that higher resolution satellite data result in more accurate positioning but the accuracy of intensity estimates is not necessarily a function of the resolution. Logically, strong systems are more accurately located than weak systems. The intensity estimates, however, are most accurate for weak and average strength storms than for rapidly developing storms. The errors were also largest for the very strong storms contained in the Western Pacific DMSP sample.