Peering Beneath the Clouds of Typhoon Surigae

By Space.Fan Editorial DeskOctober 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC

A powerful radar satellite captures the turbulent ocean surface hidden under a massive storm.

Image · ESA

The Drop

Usually, when we look at photos of typhoons from space, we see the thick, white clouds swirling around the storm. These clouds act like a blanket, hiding what is happening on the ocean surface below. Scientists recently used a special satellite called Copernicus Sentinel-1 to get a better look at what was happening under the clouds during Typhoon Surigae. Unlike regular cameras, this satellite uses radar to 'see' through the clouds and track the water beneath. By bouncing radar waves off the sea, the satellite created a colorful map showing exactly how rough the ocean was while the storm was active. In the image, bright orange and yellow colors highlight areas where the wind was whipping up the water into dangerous waves. The center of the storm, known as the eye, appears as dark blue, showing where the water was much calmer. Some bright yellow spots were also caught on camera, which experts believe are places with intense wind and heavy rain rather than actual land.

Why It Matters

Understanding the state of the ocean during a storm is vital for predicting how much damage a typhoon might cause. Radar imagery allows researchers to measure wind speeds and wave height with great detail, even when thick clouds block regular cameras. This helps scientists better estimate the power of a storm while it is still moving across the ocean.

The Catch

While the radar data is excellent at mapping wind and waves, it does not always capture the full picture on its own. Some of the bright spots seen in the image are tricky to interpret, and scientists have to rely on their expertise to distinguish between heavy rain, intense wind, or other sea conditions that might produce similar radar signals.

Put That in Perspective

Space agencies have used satellites like Sentinel-1 to watch many major storms, including Typhoon Hagibis and Typhoon Jebi, over the past few years. These missions are part of a growing effort to keep a constant watch on our planet to help people on the ground stay safe as climate patterns change.

Source October 2, 2026

ESA