A Case Study of a Convective Outbreak Using VAS-Derived Thermodynamic Parameters.
Abstract
Soundings of atmospheric thermodynamic structure from GOES-VAS satellite retrievals are used to investigate a severe storm outbreak over the central United States on 21-22 July 1982. The satellite soundings are available at six times between 1100 and 2300 GMT 21 July. They are objectively analyzed to achieve meso alpha-scale resolution. The goal is to assess the usefulness of VAS data in diagnosing the changes in atmospheric structure that are conducive to storm formation. Just prior to thunderstorm development, increasing instability due to low-level warming, middle tropospheric cooling, and increasing water vapor content are detected. Several triggering mechanisms in the area explain the pattern of convection that follows. Though the VAS soundings appear to overestimate the atmospheric instability when compared to rawinsonode soundings, the general continuity of features in space and time is good. A second limitation of the VAS data is that extensive cloud cover limits the number of retrievals early in the study period. The research demonstrates that VAS soundings are a useful supplement to the standard 12 h rawinsonde data during this case. However, the retrieval algorithms should be investigated to determine whether any of the observed variations are attributable to deficiencies in these procedures. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA145560
Entities
People
- M. F. Remeika
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology