Book Description

A preliminary report on a method to estimate cloud ice and water content from archived satellite data is presented. The ultimate purpose is the identification and mapping of clouds with excessive mass to produce a climatology for the SAMSO ABRES program. The only suitable archive of satellite data consists of visible and infrared (IR) window measurements taken by scanning radiometers on board NOAA satellites. Starting in 1973, these measurements have been archived digitally each day in 2048 X 2048 arrays covering each hemisphere. In this report, the visible and IR window measurements are related to cloud mass by simultaneous observation of clouds from satellites and aircraft in 11 cases taken in 1974. Additional cases (including 24 in 1975) will be included in subsequent reports. The satellite data and archive are described. Results of the 1974 cases are given in the form of a simple scattergram relating cloud mass integrated through all altitudes to the joint measurements of IR temperature and visible luminance of the cloud. A preliminary application of the scattergram to a cyclonic storm on 23 and 24 July 1973 is made to identify areas of high cloud mass. (Author).