Satellite Precipitation Analysis for a Developing North Pacific Ocean Cyclone
Abstract
Three satellite-based precipitation techniques are used to analyze the atmospheric precipitation pattern associated with a developing winter cyclone over the eastern North Pacific Ocean. A visible/infrared technique, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), uses cloud-top temperature and albedo thresholds to produce a rain estimate. A microwave method, based on an algorithm made by the Hughes Aircraft Company (HAC), retrieves rain rate estimates based on both the thermal emission at 19 GHz and the scattering by precipitation-size ice at 37 GHz. Another microwave technique identifies rain coverage based solely on the high sensitivity of 85 GHz channels to ice scattering above the freezing level. A polarization corrected temperature (PCT) is formulated to isolate the 85 GHz precipitation effect. A subjective evaluation and comparison of the rain estimations are performed. The NPS technique produces representative results within the warm front, but appears to underestimate potential rain associated with the cold front. The HAC retrieval provides a synoptically realistic analysis of the cyclone's rain pattern, but does not resolve the potential precipitation within the isolated, convective clouds behind the cyclone. The PCT method gives a representative coverage of the convective activity within the cyclone and its surrounding area, but does not depict the potential rain areas associated with stratiform clouds. Keywords: Meteorological satellites; Remote sensing; Atmosphere models; Rainfall infrared images; Meteorological data processing. Theses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA206600
Entities
People
- Timothy F. Sheridan
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School