SMOS observations of brightness temperature is a totally new source of information for tracking hurricanes Strong winds over oceans whip up waves and whitecaps, which in turn affect the microwave radiation being emitted from the surface. This means that although strong storms make it difficult to measure salinity, the changes in emitted radiation can, however, be linked directly to the strength of the wind over the sea.

Credits: ESA/Ifremer/Planetary Visions