Space-time variations of outgoing longwave and shortwave reflected radiationHovmoller diagrams are used to examine radiation variations at synoptic space and time scales. These variations are quantified statistically via the application of correlations in the time-longitude domain. In higher latitudes where the outgoing LW radiation (OLR) and the SW reflected (SWR) radiation are independent of longitude, the 2D autocorrelation function shows that the maximum characteristic lengths are in the downstream direction. These characteristic lengths provide a good measure of zonally advected atmospheric phenomena. Also from the 2D autocorrelation functions, correlation speeds were determined, which match well with mean longitudinal wind directions and speeds. This indicates that the major time-varying features advect with the flow, rather than propagating in some other fashion.
Document ID
19920039912
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Rutan, David (Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Smith, G. L. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)