Computer image processing of up-draft flow motion and severe storm formation observed from satelliteSpecial rapid-scan satellite visible and infrared observations have been used to study the life cycle of the clouds from the initiation of updraft flow motion in the atmosphere, the condensation of humid air, the formation of clouds, the development of towering cumulus, the penetration of the tropopause, the collapsing of an overshooting turret, and the dissipation of cloud. The infrared image provides an indication of the equivalent blackbody temperature of the observed cloud tops. By referencing the temperature, height and humidity profiles from rawinsonde observations as the background meteorological data for the instability of the air mass to the satellite infrared data sets at different time periods, the development of convective clouds can be studied in detail.
Document ID
19850065000
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hung, R. J. (Alabama, University Huntsville, United States)
Smith, R. E. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)