Examination of a Coupled-Pixel Model (CPM) atmospheric retrieval algorithm

Oceanic remote sensing of rain rate and surface wind speed is possible using low frequency passive microwave sensors on both space-based and aircraft-based platforms. The particular observing geometries of these sensors allows for simplifying assumptions about the rain in the field of view - assumptions that are not possible for the Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad). HIRad´s unique observing capabilities are such that a single atmospheric column can affect the observations at multiple cross-track positions. This motivated the development of the Coupled Pixel Model (CPM) atmospheric retrieval algorithm. This newly developed retrieval algorithm performance is limited by beam averaging. With increasing earth incidence angle (EIA), it becomes more difficult to deconvolve distinct neighboring rain bands.