Mesoscale Convective Complexes in the Western Pacific Region
Abstract
This thesis presents a 1983-85 study of mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) over the western Pacific region (WPR) using full-disc enhanced infrared (EIR) satellite imagery from the Japanese Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS). Using western hemisphere MCC studies as a guide, MCC criteria were defined for the western Pacific Ocean. Criteria were based on the size of the cold cloud shield, the GMS EIR curve, duration of the system, and temporal resolution of the imagery. A computer algorithm was developed which transformed cold cloud shield areas on satellite images into physical space, i.e., into actual areas in sq km. Only systems without extreme look angles, i.e., systems located between 90 deg E and 170 deg W, were used to calculate typical properties of WPR MCCs. Despite satellite problems in 1984, 206 systems met the criteria for an MCC occurrence. From this database, WPR MCC characteristics (life cycle, duration, cold cloud shield size, etc.) were calculated. The results indicate that WPR MCCs display many of the same characteristics as those found in the Americas. It is concluded that the strong similarity of the properties and environment of WPR MCCs to that in the Americas indicates that they are essentially the same phenomenon. Their high frequency in the Americas and the WPR makes them potentially important contributors to the global hydrologic cycle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA231159
Entities
People
- David T. Miller
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology