Development of Infrared and Microwave Techniques for Cloud Parameter Inference from Satellite Imagery and Sounder Data.
Abstract
This report presents research to improve estimates of cloud parameters when both microwave and infrared data are available from weather satellites. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) will have both types of data in 1983 with the first flight of the SSM/I multispectral microwave imager and improved cloud estimates could then be available to the AFGWC automated cloud analysis known as 3DNEPH. In this report, radiative transfer programs have been improved so that microwave channels can be simulated in a realistic manner. Also, the results of simulations have been compared to measurements from the ESMR, SCAMS, and HIRS sensors on the Nimbus VI satellite, which was the most complete set of microwave and infrared data available at the time of this study. The first area is concerned with the investigation of the effect of clouds and precipitation on the Nimbus VI ESMR channel and the use of ESMR vertical and horizontal polarization components for the determination of the liquid water content and cloud thickness. In conjunction with these objectives, we have developed a microwave radiative transfer program taking into account the polarization effect. The second area deals with the use of both infrared and microwave channels for the cloud parameter inference parameterizations. The infrared and microwave radiative transfer programs are successively developed for retrieval of the high and low cloud top heights and thicknesses and the cloud liquid water content from selected HIRS and SCAMS channels of the Nimbus VI satellite.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 30, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA097592
Entities
People
- E. Astling
- F. M. Chen
- H. Y. Yeh
- K. Hutchison
- Kuo-nan Liou
Organizations
- University of Utah