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At least 55 records · Page 3

An analysis of eight flights by U-2 aircraft over severe storms in Oklahoma

The method and results of the analysis of photographic records of the summit areas of severe storms obtained from a U-2 aircraft flying at an altitude of 65,000 ft. over Oklahoma are described. Comparison of the heights of storm cells protruding through the main anvil cirrus deck of a squall line with the predictions of simple "parcel" theory suggests the latter may be used to indicate the maximum development attainable (but not necessarily attained) by a squall line on a given day. It is suggested that temperatures approaching -1OO°C. may occur in the domes of giant quasi-steady storm cells reaching altitudes of 55,000 - 60,000 ft. bounded by a thin shell of extremely stable air, which is not inconsistent with the rather smooth texture of dome summits sometimes shown by the U-2 photographs.

CLOUD PHOTOGRAPHY

Satellite observations of a monsoon depression

The exploration of a monsoon depression over Burma and the Bay of Bengal is discussed. Aircraft and satellite data were examined, with an emphasis on the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) aboard TIROS-N and the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) aboard Nimbus-7. The structure of the monsoon depression was found to be dominated by cumulus convection. The only systematic large scale behavior discerned was a propagation of the depression westward, and diurnal migration of contours of brightness temperature. These contours in the middle troposphere showed a gradient toward the north with the patterns migrating northward at night. From SMMR and dropwindsonde data, water vapor contents were found to be near 65 mm, increasing to more than 70 mm in the northeast Bay of Bengal. Cloud water contents reached about three mm. Rainfall rates exceeding 5.7 mm/h occurred over a small part of the storm area, while mean rainfall rates in areas of order 20,000 sq km reached approximately 0.5 mm/h. Measured MSU brightness temperatures were reconciled very well with dropwindsonde data and with airborne in situ observations of clouds (by photography) and hydrometeors (by radar). Diffuse scattering was determined to be important in computing brightness temperature.

Warner, C.

Analysis of satellite data for sensor improvement (detection of severe storms from space)

Stereo photography of clouds over southeast Asia was obtained using NOAA-7 and the Japanese GMS. Due to the breakdown of GMS2, GMS1, which had been retired, is being used as the replacement satellite. The launch of GMS should permit the US-Japan stereo experiment to be reactivated. The Lear jet experiment based at Grand Island, Nebraska was successful and provided data on the Redwood Falls clouds & Grand Island thunderstorm; an anvil-top cirrus deck; a circular thunderstorm; and jumping cirrus. The IR temperature field of the thunderstorm which induced the Andrews AFB microburst was analyzed with 1 C accuracy. The microburst and severe thunderstorm project is being planned.

Fujita, T. T.

Meteorological support for remote sensing programs

Many earth-oriented remote sensing spacecraft and aircraft programs are affected by the presence of clouds. Like aerial photography, they require clear or mostly clear skies. To cope with the cloud problem, the National Weather Service through its Spaceflight Meteorology Group (SMG) of the Space Operations Support Division makes cloud cover forecasts, as part of its specialized weather service for various NASA remote sensing and other programs. Forecasting requirements vary in time from a few hours out to several days and in aerial extent from a particular locality to nearly global in coverage. Depending on the stage of program development, some remote sensing programs may involve special climatological studies for planning purposes or need ground-truth data for comparison with remotely sensed information. The importance of computer and weather satellite products to the SMG meteorologist is discussed and the nature of SMG's weather support of past, present, and future remote sensing programs is described.

Cox, J. L.

A comparison between high-altitude horizon photography and direct sampling of El Chichon cloud particles

Perturbations to the visible radiation by the El Chichon aerosol layers in the stratosphere observed on May 18, 1982 in Laredo, Texas using in situ, time-lapsed photography are analyzed. The densitometric data are compared with optical counter data. Good correlation is detected for the scattered light intensities of the sky estimated with the two techniques. It is observed that the optical thickness of the stratosphere from 18.8 km to the top of the atmosphere = 0.18 and the residual optical thickness at 27 km = 0.0007. The relationship between the isodensity contours and the height of the observations, cloud cover, specific vertical aerosol distribution, and earth curvature is examined.

Coletti, A.

The 1980 stratospheric-tropospheric exchange experiment

Data are presented from the Stratospheric-Tropospheric Water Vapor Exchange Experiment. Measurements were made during 11 flights of the NASA U-2 aircraft which provided data from horizontal traverser and samplings in and about the tops of extensive cirrus-anvil clouds produced by overshooting cumulus turrets. Aircraft measurements were made of water vapor, ozone, ambient and cloud top temperature, fluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, nitric acid, aerosols, and ice crystal populations. Balloonsondes were flown about twice daily providing data on ozone, wind fields, pressure and temperature to altitudes near 30 km. Satellite photography provided detailed cloud and cloud top temperature information. Descriptions of individual experiments and detailed compilations of all results are provided.

Margozzi, A. P.

The 1977 intertropical convergence zone experiment

Data are presented from the 1977 Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) Experiment conducted in the Panama Canal Zone in July 1977. Measurements were made daily over a 16-day period when the ITCZ moved across the Canal Zone. Two aircraft (Learjet and U-2) flew daily and provided data from horizontal traverses at several altitudes to 21.3 km of ozone, temperature, pressure, water vapor, aerosols, fluorocarbons, methane, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, and nitric acid. Balloonsondes flown four times per day provided data on ozone, wind fields, pressure, temperature, and humidities to altitudes near 30 km. Rocketsondes provided daily data to altitudes near 69 km. Satellite photography provided detailed cloud information. Descriptions of individual experiments and detailed compilations of all results are provided.

Poppoff, I. G.