Diagnostic Aids and Analyses for Smaller-Scale Moisture Structure

Abstract

An atmosphere model of the disturbed area sometimes found ahead of cold fronts in association with a low-level and upper-level jet is described. Use of the term 'moist conveyor belt' to describe this feature is suggested and a method for recognizing the feature with associated attributes is described. Polar lows and means of identifying synoptic scale environmental factors related to their development are also considered. Means of objectively locating air mass boundaries are devloped along with and objective aid in short term prediction of heavy rain. The report suggests that short range forecasting is limited by inadequate moisture observations, and that a major effort is needed to upgrade data availability in that area. Keywords: Weather forecasting; Short time range; Small space scales; Humidity; Clouds; Moist conveyor belt weather models; Cyclogenesis; Low-level jet; Jet stream; Polar lows; Computerized simulation; Interactive analysis; Air mass analysis.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA165984

Entities

People

  • Gregory S. Forbes
  • John J. Cahir
  • Walter D. Lottes

Organizations

  • Pennsylvania State University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Masses
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Grids
  • Humidity
  • Meteorology
  • Military Research
  • North America
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Operating Systems
  • Research Facilities
  • Temperature Gradients
  • United States
  • Weather Forecasting

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation

Technology Areas

  • Space