The AFGWC (Air Force Global Weather Central) Automated Real-Time Cloud Analysis Model

Abstract

The RTNEPH (Real Time NEPHanalysis) model replaced the 3DNEPH (3- Dimensional NEPHanalysis) model in August, 1983 as the AFGWC (Air Force Global Weather Central) automated cloud analysis model. It uses a horizontal grid spacing of 25 nautical miles and uses four floating layers in the vertical. The RTNEPH uses visual and infrared data from meteorological satellites as well as surface observations, radiosonde data, and aircraft reported data to produce its analysis. A capability exists to manually modify the analysis to correct deficiencies. This nephanalysis is then used as input for AFGWC's cloud forecast models and is stored for climatological purposes by the USAF Environmental Technical Applications Center. The RTNEPH is scheduled to undergo a technical enhancement to incorporate multi-spectral techniques, use finer resolution satellite data, and produce a 12.5 nautical mile resolution analysis. Keywords: Cloud analysis, Meteorology, Nephanalysis, Polar orbiting satellite data.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADB121615

Entities

People

  • Raymond B. Kiess
  • William M. Cox

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Temperature
  • Aircrafts
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cloud Cover
  • Clouds
  • Computers
  • Data Processing
  • Databases
  • Dew Point
  • Geography
  • Mainframe Computers
  • Meteorological Satellites
  • Meteorology
  • Quality Control
  • Surface Temperature
  • Transition Temperature

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Computer Vision.

Technology Areas

  • Space