Remote Measurement of the Position and Surface Circulation of Hurricane Eloise by HF Skywave Radar

Abstract

The position and surface wind direction field of Hurricane Eloise was observed by measuring sea backscatter from the Gulf of Mexico through the use of an HF skywave radar situated in central California. A radar map of the surface wind direction field was compiled from the direction of the ocean gravity waves 8 m long, and compared to the surface wind directions measured at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Data Buoy Office open ocean moored buoys EB10 and EB04. Agreement to within 10% was found. A radar position fix was determined from the radar-derived surface wind map and showed agreement to within 35 km of the position estimated from the official National Hurricane Center track.