Tropical Cyclones are individually named to provide easier communication and identification between forecasters and the general public during forecasts, alerts and warnings. Since the storms can often last a week or longer and more than one Cyclone can occur in the same basin at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about the storm being described. A strong Tropical Cyclone may also be called a Hurricane in the United States and in the Caribbean (when the wind speed is greater than 33 m/s) and a Typhoon in the West of the Pacific Ocean.

Wind observations over Oceans are largely made by merchant ships. However, ship's reports can be few and far between, particularly regarding storms. The spatial resolution of the numerical analysis models performed by weather forecast centres are generally insufficient to reveal accurate position and details of a Cyclone. Satellite visible and infrared images may help to locate storms but do not reveal the surface intensity. Only an active microwave sensor, for example the Scatterometer, has the proven capability of measuring both wind speed and direction under a wide range of conditions with high spatial resolution.