THE DIAGNOSIS OF UPPER-AIR HUMIDITY FROM SURFACE OBSERVATIONS.
Abstract
Northern-hemisphere surface-synoptic and radiosonde data from November, 1961 through February, 1962 are used to develop diagnostic relationships between surface-observed variables at a single station and the dewpoint spread at the 850-, 700-, 500-, and 400-mb levels above that station. The approach consists of two steps: (1) the isolation within a decision-tree framework of those cases for which surface-observed variables yield highly reliable estimates of upper-level humidity, and (2) the application of a statistical technique (Regression Estimation of Event Probabilities) to the remaining cases to derive equations yielding probabilities of occurence of specified categories of dew-point spread. This approach yields useful diagnostic information of variable quality. A method of incorporating this information into an objective analysis of humidity is outlined. The results of a feasibilitystudy assessing the value of using a network of stations to estimate upper-level humidity above a single station are given. Surface-synoptic data from a network surrounding Washington, D. C. (DCA) and radiosonde data from DCA for a forty-month period are used for the study. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0610713
Entities
People
- Donald A. Chisholm
- John T. Ball
- Keith W. Veigas
- Paul Luty
Organizations
- United Aircraft Corporation