TC-ATLAS
Tropical Cyclone Analysis Tool for Live and Archived Structure
A multi-source platform for exploring tropical cyclone vortex structure. TC-ATLAS brings together airborne Doppler radar, passive microwave and infrared satellite imagery, ERA5 environmental diagnostics, dropsonde profiles, and flight-level observations into one unified interactive tool.
Integrated Data Sources
TC-ATLAS unifies observations from multiple platforms and agencies into a single interactive environment.
Airborne Doppler Radar
Post-processed NOAA P-3 tail Doppler radar analyses providing full 3D wind fields, reflectivity, and derived vortex diagnostics via the TC-RADAR database.
Passive Microwave Satellite
Multi-sensor microwave imagery from the TC-PRIMED dataset, revealing precipitation structure and convective organization.
Infrared Satellite
Geostationary IR brightness temperatures from GridSat-B1, MergIR, and real-time GOES ABI Band 13 imagery for cloud-top structure.
Environmental Diagnostics
ERA5 reanalysis and operational SHIPS model parameters providing vertical wind shear, SST, moisture, and other environmental context.
In-situ Observations
Flight-level data and GPS dropsonde profiles from NOAA reconnaissance missions via the SEB archives.
Best-Track Records
Storm tracks, intensity, and classification from IBTrACS v04 for comprehensive historical context across all ocean basins.
About TC-ATLAS
TC-ATLAS was developed by Dr. Michael Fischer at the University of Miami to enable researchers to conduct storm-to-storm comparisons and climatological analyses of tropical cyclone vortex and convective characteristics across all stages of the lifecycle. The platform is built around the TC-RADAR database, developed in collaboration with NOAA's Hurricane Research Division, and continues to expand with new data sources and capabilities.
How to Cite
If you use TC-ATLAS or the underlying TC-RADAR dataset in your research, please cite the relevant publications below.
TC-RADAR Dataset
Fischer, M. S., P. D. Reasor, R. F. Rogers, and J. F. Gamache, 2022: An updated tropical cyclone radar database. Mon. Wea. Rev., 150, 2255–2278, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-21-0223.1.
Vortex Tilt & Precipitation Structure
Fischer, M. S., P. D. Reasor, J. P. Dunion, and R. F. Rogers, 2024: An observational analysis of the relationship between tropical cyclone vortex tilt, precipitation structure, and intensity change. Mon. Wea. Rev., 152, 203–225, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-23-0089.1.
Anomaly-Based Vortex Diagnostics
Fischer, M. S., P. D. Reasor, J. P. Dunion, and R. F. Rogers, 2025: An anomaly-based framework for evaluating tropical cyclone vortex structure. Mon. Wea. Rev., 153, 857–875, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-24-0101.1.
Get in Touch
Questions about TC-ATLAS? Contact the developer.