TRMM Microwave Brightness Temperature Progression During Hurricane Katrina: Horizontal Polarization

The TMI instrument on the TRMM satellite measures microwaves emitted from the Earth's land and water. By comparing emission from different microwave frequencies, the characteristics of ice and water in the atmosphere can be determined. For example, 85 GHz microwaves are scattered by ice crystals in tropical cyclones, making cyclone rain bands appear 'colder' than the surrounding areas. By comparing 85 GHz temperatures in different polarizations with other frequency band measurements, accurate measurements of rainfall in the atmosphere can be made. This animation builds up four days of global TMI 85 GHz measurements. Hurricane Katrina was in the Gulf of Mexico at the time and clearly shows up in the measurements.