Tropical Cyclone Intensity Determination Through Upper-Tropospheric Aircraft Reconnaissance

Abstract

It is proposed that attention be given to the possibility of tropical cyclone intensity determination through upper-tropospheric jet aircraft reconnaissance. The cyclone's upper-level temperature anomaly and its gradient can be related to surface pressure and wind. This is particularly relevant to foreign countries affected by these cyclones that do not have a dedicated low altitude aircraft reconnaissance capability, but have available jet aircraft. Only the ordinary aircraft instrumentation for measuring temperature and pressure-altitude would be required. Jet flights are faster, longer ranged, and less turbulent (if echoes are avoided) than propeller flights. Many more aircraft are available for such missions.