Remote Sensing of the Refractive Environment Above the Marine Stratocumulus-Topped Boundary Layer
Abstract
Electro-Magnetic propagation paths are subject to refraction as they travel through moisture and temperature gradients found within the inversion layer at the top of the stratocumulus-topped marine boundary layers (STBL). The NPS Meteorology Department is developing an automated program called SEMEO (Satellite Electro-Magnetic Electro-Optical) that will use remote sensors to estimate the cloud-top height, and characterize the ducting conditions over large regions. In addition to estimating the location and strength of elevated ducts, the probability that each duct will reach the surface will also be assigned by the SEMEO program. This thesis tests the SEMEO program with a unique dataset and provides recommendations as appropriate. Results indicate that the SEMEO cloud-top height algorithm has the most success when the inversion layer is greater than 400m, there is a troughing pattern aloft (500mb level), and there is greater than three degrees Celsius difference between the cloud-top and surface temperature. The SEMEO refractive algorithm over estimates the duct strength by ~100% for shallow boundary layer cases (<400m), and overestimates their corresponding trapping layer depth by ~20%. For deeper boundary layer cases the duct strength was well represented, however, the trapping layer depth was over estimated by ~33%.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA457016
Entities
People
- Dennis T. Derley
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School