A Smart Climatology of Evaporation Duct Height and Surface Radar Propagation in the Indian Ocean
Abstract
Surface electromagnetic propagation over the ocean is highly sensitive to near-surface atmospheric variability, particularly the height of the evaporation duct. Seasonal variation in near-surface metrological factors and sea surface temperatures impact the evaporation duct height (EDH). Present U.S. Navy EDH climatology is based on sparse ship observations over a relatively short time period and an outdated evaporation duct (ED) model. This EDH climatology does not utilize smart, or modern, climatology datasets or methods and provides only long term mean (LTM) values of EDH. We have used existing, civilian, dynamically balanced reanalysis data, for 1970 to 2006, and a state-of-the-art ED model, to produce a spatially and temporally refined EDH climatology for the Indian Ocean (10) and nearby seas. Comparisons of the present U.S. Navy EDH climatology with our climatology show a number of differences. These differences, and the differences in the methods used to generate the two climatologies, indicate that the EDH climatology we have generated provides a more accurate depiction of EDH.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474357
Entities
People
- Katherine L. Twigg
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School