Application of the SRI Automatic Cloud-Tracking System to SMS-GOES Data.
Abstract
The SRI automatic cloud-tracking system is being implemented at the present time on the SPADS MINICOMPUTER SYSTEM OF THE Naval Environmental Prediction Research Facility at Monterey. This report gives background information concerning the system and describes recent improvements. The clustering process, which identifies groups potentially suitable for tracking, has been simplified and improved using a new algorithm for touching groups. Also, the criteria have been made more accurate for pairing groups at two different times to determine cloud displacements. Some current tests of the method (carried out at SRI using a CDC-6400 computer) are described. These tests used SMS-GOES data in both visible and infrared channels for several different types of clouds. In terms of the accuracy and number of cloud-motion vectors obtained, the results are considerably superior to any achieved previously using automatic methods. Our experience indicates that the system can process satellite data routinely to obtain cloud-motion vectors for input to numerical weather-prediction models. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA053619
Entities
People
- Daniel E. Wolf
- David J. Hall
- Roy M. Endlich
Organizations
- SRI International