Hurricane watch: chasing storms from space
Since , the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has been keeping an eye on powerful storms like hurricanes using satellites. Watching these storms from space helps scientists understand how strong they are and where they might go next. It also gives experts more time to warn people and help communities prepare.
Hurricane Lee as seen from a GOES satellite, heading toward the Atlantic provinces on . (Credit: NOAA)
Storm chasing with satellites
Canada's RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) consists of three satellites that use special radar technology (synthetic aperture radar), which makes it possible to scan the Earth through clouds and in darkness. This technology is especially useful for tracking tropical storms that form over the ocean and are concealed by their thick cloud cover.
To make sure the RCM captures the best possible images during hurricane season, the CSA developed a specialized tool in : the Tropical Cyclone Acquisition Planning System (TCAPS). This system looks at weather forecasts from trusted sources like Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and tells the Agency's satellite operators where to position RCM to take images from the storms.
Hurricanes can move quickly and can change direction without warning, which makes it hard to capture the centre of the storm, also known as the storm's eye – the most valuable part to study.
By automatically analyzing weather forecasts, TCAPS selects the best satellite overpass time to capture images right when storms are happening – maximizing the value of each observation.
Synthetic aperture radar offers a unique perspective to monitor wind behaviour at the ocean's surface. Image on the left shows Tropical Cyclone Courtney, South Indian Ocean, on . Image on the right shows a view unobstructed by clouds: overlay of synthetic aperture radar data from RCM and Meteosat data. (Credits: EUMETSAT and CSA)
Turning data into early warnings
RCM images reveal what is happening on the ocean's surface during a storm, including indicators of wind speed and storm structure. This information helps weather forecasters like ECCC and NOAA improve predictions and issue earlier warnings, giving communities more time to prepare and stay safe.
The imagery and data help forecasters not only in real time, but also for post-storm analysis where closer study can reveal new clues about the storms which can benefit future training and forecasting.
Thanks to the high-quality data from the RCM, available at no cost with minimal restrictions, this effort:
- Provides earlier and more accurate storm warnings
- Enables better coordination between organizations and agencies
- Supports emergency teams in planning how to respond
- Helps reduce economic losses by improving preparation
- Assists researchers in studying storm behaviour
Storms don't stop at the border
Hurricanes do not just affect tropical regions: they can also hit parts of Canada, especially in the East. For example, on , Hurricane Fiona became one of the strongest storms to ever reach Atlantic Canada. It caused major damage in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Quebec. Many homes lost power, roads were blocked, trees were knocked down, and coastal flooding swept away entire houses.
Hurricane Fiona highlighted the need to develop TCAPS. If this system had existed at the time, it would have allowed for better tracking of the storm. RCM data was also provided during the event.
Hurricane Fiona viewed from the Terra satellite on . (Credit: NASA)
Record-breaking progress
In , the CSA took on a more active role in satellite-based storm monitoring using synthetic aperture radar systems. With the RCM, 461 images of tropical storms were captured in a single season – setting a new record for this type of sensor. In most cases, the satellites successfully imaged the storm's centre, delivering highly valuable data for analysis.
By using advanced technology and working closely with different organizations, Canada is helping the world better understand hurricanes and prepare for them more effectively.