Directional discontinuities in the interplanetary magnetic field.
Discontinuities in interplanetary magnetic field direction presented on mesoscale from Pioneer 6 observation, emphasizing distribution in time
Burlaga, L. F.↗
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Meteorological satellite study on the development of tornado-producing thunderstorms
Tornado producing thunderstorms using conventional surface and upper air data combined with ATS-III data, discussing mesoscale disturbances and momentum exchange
Ninomiya, K.↗
ERTS-1 Views the Great Lakes Area
ERTS-1 study of mesoscale atmospheric phenomena associated with Great Lakes
Lyons, W. A.↗
Investigation of environmental indices from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite
The author has identified the following significant results. Land use, quality, and air quality trends are being deduced from both ERTS-1 MSS and computer compatible tapes. The data analysis plan and the preliminary data analysis phase were conducted in January 1973. Results from these two phases are: (1) Method of analysis has been selected and checked out. (2) Land use for two dates have been generated for one test site. (3) Water quality for one date has been produced partially. (4) Air quality for three has been produced and compared with ground truth. (5) One of the two DCP stations is in operation; the second station will be installed in March 1973. Land use classification exceeds pre-launch expectations. Water quality (turbidity) is not progressing as expected. Finally, mesoscale air quality results have shown correlation with NOAA/EPA turbidity network. If air quality correlations continue to show favorable results, a rapid means of global turbidity may be available from ERTS-1 MSS observations.
Greeley, R. S.↗
The use of ERTS-1 satellite data in Great Lakes mesometeorological studies
The author has identified the following significant results. In the original proposal, it was hoped that ERTS could, with its extremely high resolution and multispectral capability, detect many meteorological phenomena occurring at the low end of the mesoscale motion spectrum (1 - 100 km). This included convective cloud phenomena, internal wave patterns, air pollution, snow squalls, etc. For meteorologists, ERTS-1 has more than lived up to initial hopes. First-look inspection of images has produced a large number of truly remarkable finds. Some of the most significant are: (1) Images of Lake Ontario during late summer have revealed several extremely good examples of lake breeze frontal cloud patterns. (2) Detection of suspended particulates from Chicago-Gary industrial complex in the 50,000 to 150,000 tons/year category. (3) Inadvertant weather modification due to anthropogenic condensation and ice nuclei from urban areas.
Lyons, W. A.↗
Investigation of environmental indices from the Earth Resources Technology Satellites
The author has identified the following significant results. Correlation between the EPA/NOAA Atmospheric Turbidity Network data and the average greyness of ERTS-1 imagery over the same test site gives promise of a use for ERTS as a source of mesoscale turbidity information. Care however must be given to avoid weather front and urban effect anomalies.
Ward, E. A.↗
Alfven waves in spiral interplanetary field
A theoretical study is presented of the Alfven waves in the spiral interplanetary magnetic field. The Alfven waves under consideration are arbitrary, large amplitude, non-monochromatic, microscale waves of any polarization. They superpose on a mesoscale background flow of thermally anisotropic plasma. Using WKB approximation, an analytical solution for the amplitude vectors is obtained as a function of the background flow properties: density, velocity, Alfven speed, thermal anisotropy, and the spiral angel. The necessary condition for the validity of the WKB solution is discussed. The intensity of fluctuations is calculated as a function of heliocentric distance. Relative intensity of fluctuations as compared with the magnitude of the background field has its maximum in the region near l au. Thus outside of this region, the solar wind is less turbulent.
Whang, Y. C.↗
ERTS-1 views the Great Lakes
The meteorological content of ERTS images, particularly mesoscale effects of the Great Lakes and air pollution dispersion is summarized. Summertime lake breeze frontal clouds and various winter lake-effect convection patterns and snow squalls are revealed in great detail. A clear-cut spiral vortex over southern Lake Michigan is related to a record early snow storm in the Chicago area. Marked cloud changes induced by orographic and frictional effects on Lake Michigan's lee shore snow squalls are seen. The most important finding, however, is a clear-cut example of alterations in cumulus convection by anthropogenic condensation and/or ice nuclei from northern Indiana steel mills during a snow squall situation. Jet aircraft condensation trails are also found with surprising frequency.
Lyons, W. A.↗
A study to define meteorological uses and performance requirements for the Synchronous Earth Observatory Satellite
The potential meteorological uses of the Synchronous Earth Observatory Satellite (SEOS) were studied for detecting and predicting hazards to life, property, or the quality of the environment. Mesoscale meteorological phenonmena, and the observations requirements for SEOS are discussed along with the sensor parameters.
Suomi, V. E.↗
Multidisciplinary studies of the social, economic and political impact resulting from recent advances in satellite meteorology, Volume 5
Studies are presented on mesoscale weather monitoring, analysis, and dissemination of weather forecasts for the Wisconsin area.
Source record↗
Acoustic sounding in the planetary boundary layer
Three case studies are presented involving data from an acoustic radar. The first two cases examine data collected during the passage of a mesoscale cold-air intrusion, probably thunderstorm outflow, and a synoptic-scale cold front. In these studies the radar data are compared to conventional meteorological data obtained from the WKY tower facility for the purpose of radar data interpretation. It is shown that the acoustic radar echoes reveal the boundary between warm and cold air and other areas of turbulent mixing, regions of strong vertical temperature gradients, and areas of weak or no wind shear. The third case study examines the relationship between the nocturnal radiation inversion and the low-level wind maximum or jet in the light of conclusions presented by Blackadar (1957). The low-level jet is seen forming well above the top of the inversion. Sudden rapid growth of the inversion occurs which brings the top of the inversion to a height equal that of the jet. Coincident with the rapid growth of the inversion is a sudden decrease in the intensity of the acoustic radar echoes in the inversion layer. It is suggested that the decrease in echo intensity reveals a decrease in turbulent mixing in the inversion layer as predicted by Blackadar. It is concluded that the acoustic radar can be a valuable tool for study in the lower atmosphere.
Kelly, E. H.↗
The use of ERTS-1 imagery in air pollution and mesometeorological studies around the Great Lakes
ERTS-1 images continue to be highly useful in studies of: (1) long range transport of air pollutants over the Great Lakes; (2) the mesoscale atmospheric dynamics associated with episodic levels of photochemical smog along the western shore of Lake Michigan; and (3) inadvertant weather modification by large industrial complexes. Also unusual wave patterns in fogs and low stratus over the Great Lakes are being detected for the first time due to the satellites high resolution.
Lyons, W. A.↗
Alfven waves in spiral interplanetary field
This paper presents a theoretical study of the Alfven waves in the spiral interplanetary magnetic field. The Alfven waves under consideration are arbitrary large-amplitude nonmonochromatic microscale waves of any polarization. They superpose on a mesoscale background flow of thermally anisotropic plasma. When the WKB approximation is used, an analytical solution for the amplitude vectors is obtained as a function of the background flow properties: density, velocity, Alfven speed, thermal anisotropy, and the spiral angle. The relative intensity of fluctuations compared with the magnitude of the background field has its maximum in the region near 1 AU. Thus outside of this region the solar wind is less turbulent. Owing to attenuation of microscale Alfven waves, fluctuation energy is converted into the kinetic energy of the solar wind.
Whang, Y. C.↗
Meteorological satellite accomplishments
The various types of meteorological satellites are enumerated. Vertical sounding, parameter extraction technique, and both macroscale and mesoscale meteorological phenomena are discussed. The heat budget of the earth-atmosphere system is considered, along with ocean surface and hydrology.
Allison, L. J.↗
A wind-tunnel study of sea breeze effects
A wind-tunnel simulation of the diffusion patterns in a sea breeze has been attempted. No attempt was made to reproduce the recirculation that characterizes a sea breeze, but the results indicate that the low-level onshore flow was well simulated for neutral, stable, unstable, and elevated inversion conditions. Velocity, turbulence, shear stress, and temperature data were taken, and the spread of emissions from ground-level sources was investigated. Comparison is made with theoretical predictions by Inoue (1960) and with the open, countryside results of Pasquill. Agreement with the predictions by Inoue is good. The comparison with Pasquill's results shows that the wind-tunnel flows are shifted two categories towards more stable. The discrepancy may be explained as a lack of mesoscale turbulence in the wind tunnel.
Ogawa, Y.↗
Commercial aircraft as a source of automated meteorological data for GATE and DST
Specially-equipped wide-body commercial aircraft which are flying tropical and Southern Hemispheric routes are providing a new and unique source of meteorological data with a 100 km spatial resolution. Data have been gathered for the GATE, and the planning for a similar effort for the DST is in progress. These aircraft not only provide synoptic data in critical areas devoid of conventional data, but are, in effect, meteorological research platforms that can provide valuable information on mesoscale phenomena. By 1976 it is anticipated that there will be over 80 such aircraft flying global routes. These specially-equipped jets could also be effectively used for EGGE by providing the nucleus of a supplementary observing system for gathering world-wide meteorological data.
Julian, P. R.↗
Annual review of earth observations from space
An overview is given of the present state of satellites making observations of the earth. Satellite systems discussed include the NOAA series of Synchronous Meteorological Satellites (SMS) and sun-synchronous satellites, the two LANDSATS (formerly called ERTS), and the NIMBUS series. Examples are presented of the types of observations being made as well as their purposes. These include observations of synoptic and mesoscale atmospheric processes for daily weather forecasting, global atmospheric processes for long-range weather forecasting, planetary radiation budget and ocean circulation for monitoring climatic trends, earth dynamics and tectonic structure for mineral exploration and assessing earthquake hazards, atmospheric composition and water quality for environment monitoring, and thematic mapping for monitoring land use, managing crops and water resources, and assessing environmental impacts.
Nordberg, W.↗
A study of some effects of vertical shear on thunderstorms
Evidence is presented for the existence of vortices and vortex pairs in thunderstorms. A preliminary parameterized model of the nonthermal generation of thunderstorm vortices derived from field observations of storms and laboratory observations of a jet in crossflow is reported, together with an explanation of how such a model might be used to guide analysis of mesoscale rawinsonde, radar, and satellite data toward an improved capability for prediction of thunderstorm motion and growth. Preliminary analyses of radar and satellite data from Atmospheric Variability Experiment IV are used with available rawinsonde data to develop a correlation between wind shears, instability, and thunderstorm motion and development. Specific studies are recommended for best development of concepts and utilization of data from Atmospheric Variability and Atmospheric Variability Severe Storms Experiments.
Connell, J.↗