Altimeter data are used to study the relationship between hurricane intensification and upper ocean thermal structure under the storm track. Indeed, the sea level positive anomalies (materialized in red on the maps) forming bumps on the ocean surface, reveal a potential heat reserve that the cyclone will gain strength when it passes.

Top: Hurricane Tomas intensity overlayed on a merged (SLA) map for the 13th of March. The hurricane intensity scale is purple for a tropical depression, blue for cat. 1, green for cat. 2, yellow for cat. 3, orange for cat.4 and red for category 5. The dates near the path indicates the date when the hurricane passed (Credits CLS/Cnes Ssalto/Duacs).

Bottom: Hurricane Hubert intensity overlayed on a merged (SLA) map for the 9th of March. (Credits CLS/Cnes Ssalto/Duacs).