Passive Microwave
Each card on this page represents a passive microwave product. Products on green cards - marked as "Evaluation Product" - are being used by at least one National Weather Service Forecast Office. For more details on any product, click the details link at the bottom of each eard. To see actual real-time data, click the real-time link at the bottom of the card.
For more information, see the Passive Microwave Overview at the bottom of this page.
EVALUATION PRODUCT
37 GHz Horizontal
For precipitation, used primarily for intensity and areal extent.
EVALUATION PRODUCT
37 GHz RGB
RGB image used to detect areas of deep cloudiness, convection, and open water.
EVALUATION PRODUCT
89 GHz Vertical
For precipitation, used primarily for intensity and identifying storms with high ice content.
EVALUATION PRODUCT
37 GHz Vertical
For precipitation, used primarily for intensity and areal extent.
EVALUATION PRODUCT
89 GHz Horizontal
For precipitation, used primarily for intensity and identifying storms with high ice content.
Passive Microwave Overview
Passive Microwave data from the TMI, SSM/I(F-15), and SSMIS(F-15,16,17) polar-orbiting satellites are used to observe rain and airborne ice signatures from the 37 GHz and 89 GHz channels. Both frequencies aid in observing precipitation intensity; the 37 GHz channel helps denote areal extent and the 89 GHz channel contributes to distinguishing between stratiform and convective precipitation. The derived rain rate products are also used as well as RGB composites. This project is in collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory, with a goal of transitioning products they have been producing for their tropical cyclones analysis page.
