RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TIROS CLOUD PATTERNS AND AIR MASS (WIND AND THERMAL) STRUCTURE.
Abstract
In recent years considerable effort has been expended in relating Tiros cloud patterns to synoptic analyses with certain worthwhile results. However, little effort has been made to relate the cloud patterns directly to the air mass structure and associated physical processes. This study has been aimed at relating the cloud patterns to wind at various levels, wind shear, thermal advection, vertical differences therein, and air mass stability. Over 300 ship or shoreline radiosonde observations were used in conjunction with nearly simultaneous Tiros photographs to develop statistical summaries of these parameters and their relationship to cloud patterns. Models of the synoptic climatology of Tiros cloud patterns for a generalized cyclonic system are presented which relate the above parameters to the cloud patterns in a way that is consistent with the various physical processes that generate and spread cloud. Statistical tables are provided relating air mass parameters to specific cloud forms. These tables present the information in a variety of forms useful to the forecaster. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0622396
Entities
People
- John R. Thompson
- Robert D. Ellott