TIROS III meteorological satellite radiation observations of a tropical hurricane

On July 12, 1961, the TIROS III meteorological satellite (1961 rho 1) was launched carrying two television cameras and a family of radiation sensors in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. During the period July 18–24, the first hurricane of the 1961 Atlantic season, Hurricane Anna, was observed clearly by a five-channel medium resolution radiometer on the satellite as well as by the television cameras. Data gathered by the radiometer during this period are presented in the form of maps, together with supporting television pictures. The possibility to infer stratospheric water vapor content above the hurricane by comparing measurements from the 5.9-6.7 micron water vapor and the 7.5–13.5 micron window channels is investigated. We have concluded that only very limited inferences can be made because of our insufficient knowledge of the transfer of radiation at low pressures and in the cloud-atmosphere interface and because of insufficient accuracy of the sensors flown in TIROS III.