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Satellite observations of a polar low over the Norwegian Sea by Special Sensor Microwave Imager, Geosat, and TIROS-N Operational Vertical SounderMany polar lows are generated at the boundary between sea ice and the ocean, in regions of large temperature gradients, where in situ observations are rare or nonexistent. Since satellite observations are frequent in high-latitude regions, they can be used to detect polar lows and track their propagation and evolution. The Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) providing estimates of surface wind speed, integrated cloud liquid water content, water vapor content, and precipitation size ice-scattering signal over the ocean; the Geosat radar altimeter measuring surface wind speed and significant wave height; and the TIROS-N Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) allowing the determination of temperature and humidity profiles in the atmosphere have been used in synergy for a specific case which occurred in the Norwegian Sea on January, 23-24 1988. All three instruments show sharp atmospheric gradients associated with the propagation of this low across the ocean, which permit the detection of the polar low at a very early stage and tracking it during its development, propagation, and decay. The wind speed gradients are measured with good qualitative agreement between the altimeter and SSM/I. TOVS retrieved fields prior to the formation of the low confirm the presence of an upper level trough, while during the mature phase baroclinicity can be observed in the 1000-500 hPa geopotential thicknesses.
Document ID
19930071514
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Claud, Chantal
(Ecole Polytechnique Palaiseau, France)
Mognard, Nelly M.
(CNES Toulouse, France)
Katsaros, Kristina B.
(Washington Univ. Seattle, United States)
Chedin, Alain
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Scott, Noelle A.
(Ecole Polytechnique Palaiseau, France)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
August 15, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 98
Issue: C8
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
93A55511
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1688
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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