Satellite Wind-Profile Techniques
Abstract
Satellite data that are currently available in numerical form for operational use include temperature profiles and cloud-motion measurements. In this study, several different techniques were tested for possible use in deriving wind profiles from these data. The eventual application of the wind profiles would be in objective analysis and numerical weather prediction. The techniques were tested using research data sets prepared by the National Environmental Satellite Service (NESS) at the University of Wisconsin. The satellite data consist of high-resolution TIROS-N temperature profiles and GOES cloud-motion measurements. The evaluation of the techniques was based on comparisons with radiosonde observations over the United States. Two of the techniques tested were found to give promising results: one, a technique based on the use of thermal winds to extrapolate wind values upward and downward from the cloud-motion level, and the other a technique based on eigenvector calculations. These two techniques, or similar ones, should be of current operational value over oceanic areas devoid of conventional data, provided that reliable height values for cloud motions and reasonably accurate estimates of surface winds can be provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA098094
Entities
People
- Robert L. Mancuso
- Roy M. Endlich
Organizations
- SRI International