Satellite observation of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) variability in the wake of hurricanes and typhoons

Satellite observation of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) absorption coefficient variability in the wake of numerous hurricanes and typhoons is reported here for the first time. Storm‐induced vertically‐mixed CDOM from deeper depths has a higher absorption coefficient than the photochemically degraded CDOM within the undisturbed pre‐storm upper mixed layer. Principal findings are: (1) Little variability is observed prior to storm encounter at which time the CDOM‐defined wake rapidly develops a notable right side asymmetry. (2) The more robust right‐side CDOM absorption coefficient elevation is visible up to ∼30days depending on storm intensity. In a way that is similar to existing sea surface temperature imagery applications, the techniques in this paper are proposed as a complementary new research tool for the study of atmosphere‐ocean interactions.