Characteristics of mesoscale island barrier cloud phenomena observed in satellite and space shuttle imagery.
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Authors
Markley, David R. Jr.
Subjects
atmospheric wake phenomena
von Karman vortices
island barrier effects
DMSP imagery
space shuttle imagery
von Karman vortices
island barrier effects
DMSP imagery
space shuttle imagery
Advisors
Wash, C.H.
Date of Issue
1986-12
Date
December 1986
Publisher
Language
en_US
Abstract
Mesoscale island barrier effects occur in the lee of islands and are observed in
satellite imagery and in photographs from manned spaceflight missions. These
phenomena arise when, in the presence of a low-level inversion, the boundary layer
flow is disturbed by a barrier. Five types of island barrier effects are examined: a) von
Karman vortices, b) single plumes, c) transitions from vortices to plumes, d) calm sea
streaks and e) ship wake-like cloud patterns.
Results from 23 cases indicate a strong relationship between inversion height and
type of barrier effect phenomena. A low, strong inversion was found for von Karman
vortices cases while a higher, weaker inversion was present in the transition and plume
cases. An inversion above the barrier occurred with wake phenomena. Wind shear
structure appears important in the development of the calm sea streaks and the ship
wake patterns.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
60 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.