An example of temperature structure differences in two cyclone systems derived from the advanced microwave sounder unit

The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) has better horizontal resolutio n and vertical temperature sounding abilities than its predecessor, the Mic rowave Sounding Unit (MSU). Those improved capabilities are demonstrated wi th observations of two cyclonic weather systems located in the South Pacifi c Ocean on 1 March 1999. These weather systems appear quite similar in conv entional infrared satellite imagery, suggesting that they are comparable in structure and intensity. However, an analysis using temperature retrievals created from the AMSU shows that their vertical thermal structure is quite different. This is just one example of an application highlighting the improved soundi ng capabilities available with the AMSU instrument suite. A preliminary loo k at what the AMSU can provide in data-void regions and a discussion of fut ure plans to create AMSU-based products to better diagnose synoptic-scale w eather systems are presented.