USING RADIO OCCULTATIONS TO ASSESS THE UNCERTAINTY OF MOISTURE IN THE TROPICAL TROPOSPHERE
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Authors
Adamski, Michael Jr.
Subjects
radio occultation
relative humidity
entrainment
moisture uncertainty
tropical troposphere
thunderstorms
Global Navigation Satellite Systems
GNSS
Medium Earth Orbit
MEO
Low Earth Orbit
LEO
radio occultations
RO
Cloud Model 1
CM1
relative humidity
entrainment
moisture uncertainty
tropical troposphere
thunderstorms
Global Navigation Satellite Systems
GNSS
Medium Earth Orbit
MEO
Low Earth Orbit
LEO
radio occultations
RO
Cloud Model 1
CM1
Advisors
Peters, John M.
Date of Issue
2021-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) satellites are constantly orbiting the Earth in a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) at an altitude of approximately 20,200 km. GNSS satellites in MEO continuously direct signals towards Earth for terrestrial users, but some signals are bent or refracted back into space. Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites equipped with the proper equipment can receive these radio occultations (RO) and transmit them to ground stations for processing and dissemination. RO data produces profiles or atmospheric soundings of water vapor, temperature, and pressure. This research uses RO profiles to expose the uncertainty of moisture in the tropical troposphere. The tropical troposphere’s moisture uncertainty is critical for determining if convection occurs and assessing updraft strength and buoyancy in the planetary boundary layer to determine intensity. Moisture uncertainty above the planetary boundary layer impacts how detrimental entrainment can be for the generation of thunderstorms. Cloud Model 1 (CM1) numerical simulations demonstrate how moisture uncertainty will affect thunderstorm forecasts. Quantifying uncertainty in the tropical troposphere and demonstrating its effects is critical for improving forecasts in the tropics, where the Navy is commonly operating.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology (MR)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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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.