COMPARISONS OF RADAR PRECIPITATION AND SATELLITE CLOUD OBSERVATIONS
Abstract
A program is described which is designed to provide data for evaluating precipitation-to-cloud relationships in association with the TIROS I meteorological satellite experiment. Preliminary results of satellite cloud and radar precipitation observation comparisons are presented. Data-handling procedures and difficulties encountered in working with the satellite observations are described. From subjective comparisons, precipitating clouds were found to be highly reflective, but the converse is not necessarily true. Clear or scattered, sharp-edged cloud areas within or in juxtaposition to extensive cloud systems sometime appear to parallel areas of precipitation within the system. It was found that the radar echoes can sometimes be used to locate and orient satellite pictures when other data are lacking or insufficient. In contrast to the spectacular cloud patterns revealed in the satellite pictures, no obvious nor unique relationships were found which distinguish precipitating from non-precipitating clouds. Preliminary studies re-emphasize the low percentage of clouds that precipitate. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0268003
Entities
People
- Roland E. Nagle
- Roy H. Jr. Blackmer
Organizations
- SRI International