Transient Ship Synoptic Reports


Book Description

Coastal fog studies have always alluded to offshore marine fog development by extending known observations along the coast seaward. This velocity study attempts to establish the offshore conditions during one such coastal fog study through the analysis of transient ship synoptic reports. Over 1400 ship reports occurring off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington during two weeks in August 1974 and one week in December 1975 were analyzed. The visibility-weather group elements of the ship reports along with daily NOAA II satellite photographs were used to establish fog location and boundaries. Other Synoptic parameters such as air temperature, pressure patterns and sea surface temperature were studied in an attempt to determine reasons for marine fog development. An evaluation of the credibility and reliability of transient ship synoptic reports also was made.




Climatological Marine-fog Frequencies Derived from a Synthesis of the Visibility-weather Group Elements of the Transient-ship Synoptic Reports


Book Description

The study presents the essentials of a method of synthesizing the visibility-weather group elements of marine synoptic reports into a computerized scheme for the purpose of deriving frequencies of marine-fog occurrence. The program, based on an interpretation of reporting guidelines in the Synoptic Code Manual, uses 16 combinations of present and past weather, and visibility, to identify fog in the reports. The program then objectively assigns the duration of fog for the period represented by each of the reports. A prototype climatology of marine-fog occurrence for July, over the North Pacific Ocean, is derived from application of the method to a ten-year data base (1963-72). Results are compared and discussed in relation to other published coastal and marine-fog climatologies. Diurnal fog frequencies at sea and the compatibility of fog observations from Ocean Weather Stations and transient ships are also treated. The continuing work and its goals are described.










Marine Fog Development Along the West Coast During 1973 Using Transient Ship and Coastal Station Observations


Book Description

Using transient ship observations, a hypothetical five phase Marine Fog Development (MFD) Model was applied to four actual cases of summer marine fog during 1973 along the central California coast. The MFD Model incorporates a phase zero or synoptic phase and a proposed Coastal Convergence Zone (CCZ) concept into previous West Coast fog models. Phase zero describes the synoptic conditions that establish the marine layer over the coastal regions and explains the presence of low stratus over cast which normally exists prior to fog development cases. The CCZ concept defines a transition zone in which warm dry continental air converges with cool moist marine air and denotes the seaward extent of coastal influence. The location of the transitory CCZ is dependent upon the strength of offshore flow of continental air from the coastal region. The location where this flow meets the prevailing northwesterlies becomes the most likely site of marine fog formation. Selected synoptic scale meteorological parameters were examined and incorporated with transient ship and coastal station observations. This appeared to be an effective technique for tracking the CCZ and identifying fog phase development. (Author).




Monthly Weather Review


Book Description




Fog Sequences on the Central California Coast with Examples


Book Description

In the low visibility range, forecasts during the summer period along the west coast of California are presently not made with any degree of accuracy. Modeling sequences associated with the nonfrontal fog formations during the summer period offer the possibility of improving fog diagnosis. Such sequences have been in use in Southern California for some time. This study uses a synoptic approach, focusing on sequences observed in the non-diurnal aspects of coastal fog. A development model is presented in order to delineate patterns of the fog phenomenon along the Central California coast. Actually observed fog situations are presented in order to evaluate the model and determine if day-to-day changes in specific non-diurnal indices represent trends which can aid forecasters. Results show that, although the model is general in nature, a correlation between the stages of the observed fog exists. The relationship of the time of occurrence of dense fog and the trends in the height of the inversion base and daily maximum temperatures at the top of the inversion and the inland valley are pointed out. (Author).










Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences


Book Description

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and dis seminated by the Center for lnformation and Numerica/ Data Analysis and Synthesis (C/NDAS) * at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the ac tivity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficia! to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After fi ve years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of ali concerned if the printing and distribution of the volume were handled by an international publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and App/ied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. Ali back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 21 (thesis year 1976) a total of 10,586 theses titles from 25 Canadian and 219 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for theses titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work.