Matched Filter Cyclone Maximum Wind Retrievals Using CYGNSS: Progress Update and Error Analysis

This article describes progress relating to a previously reported matched filter retrieval approach for the estimation of hurricane maximum winds using delay Doppler map (DDM) measurements of the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission. The retrievals presented are based on comparisons of these measured DDMs, and their simulated counterparts as a set of storm parameters are varied. The analysis presented examines the dependencies of retrieval performance on the synthetic storm model used as part of the forward modeling process using a set of CYGNSS storm-observing full DDM downlinks containing 68 tracks and spanning 18 storms over the period 2017–2020. Based on the combined use of multiple parametric storm models, retrieved hurricane maximum wind speed estimates showed correlations of 92%, root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 6.05 m/s, unbiased RMSE of 6.05 m/s, mean difference of 4.83 m/s, and a bias of 0.09 m/s relative to reference data. Mean retrieval error relative to storm maximum wind is 11.11%. The dependence of retrieval error on measurement maximum delay extent is also analyzed using CYGNSS Raw I/F downlinks, from which a significant near-monotonic decrease in retrieval errors is observed as the delay extent of the measurement is increased. The analysis presented in this work highlights the potential for using matched filter retrieval methodologies for cyclone wind speed estimation in spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite Systems Reflectometry systems.