Cloud-top structure of tornadic storms on 10 April 1979 from rapid scan and stereo satellite observations

Stereoscopic data from near-synchronous eastern and western GOES satellite 3 min interval visible and IR measurements and ground-based radar are used to examine the Wichita Falls, TX tornado of April, 1979. The visible wavelength scan was at 0.6 micron, while the IR was at 11 microns, and additional IR blackbody temperatures were acquired from the Tiros-N spacecraft. A minimum cloud top temperature of 208 K located the point of tornadogenesis. The cloud top cooling rate was determined to be 7 K/21 min above the tropopause preceding the tornado, while a warm area at 221 K developed downwind at the same time. It was found that temperature differences of 10 K can exist between GOES and Tiros-N anvil top measurements, and reach 20 K in the case of a young thunderstorm.