Estimates from Satellites of Total Ice and Water Content of Clouds.
Abstract
Empirical methods for estimating cloud top heights and cloud ice and water content from satellite data have been developed. The satellite information used consisted of visible and infrared window channel scanning radiometer (SR) data as well as radiances from the 15 micron CO2 band measured by the Vertical Temperature Profile Radiometer (VTPR). This information was correlated with observations from an aircraft which simultaneously sounded the clouds. The aircraft was equipped with foil samplers, replicators, Knollenberg particle counters, etc. Data from these instruments were used to construct verticle profiles of ice and water content. Application of the relationships of these profiles to routine satellite data makes it possible to construct cloud top topography and ice and water content of entire storm systems. Since the satellite data have been archived for several years, it is also possible to derive climatologies of these cloud parameters over large areas. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 13, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA027926
Entities
People
- James T. Bunting
- John H. Conover
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory