Satellite signatures of rapid cyclogenesis
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Authors
Atangan, Jose F. H.
Subjects
Meteorology
Satellite Remote Sensing
Cloud Analysis
Satellite Remote Sensing
Cloud Analysis
Advisors
Wash, Carlyle H.
Date of Issue
1988
Date
December 1988
Publisher
Language
en_US
Abstract
Animation of satellite visual and infrared imagery indicates that rapid cloud growth
is a characteristic of explosively deepening cyclones. The working hypothesis in this
thesis is that the intense vertical motions responsible for the low-level spin-up will
produce rapid cloud expansion in the upper troposphere that can be detected using digital
satellite data. Using digital IR data from GOES-West, the cloud growth of three
explosive storms that developed over the eastern North Pacific Ocean were measured
quantitatively and compared with the cyclone deepening rate. The results indicate that
the growth in areal coverage of clouds colder than -45' C is most closely related to the
explosive development period while the growth of the warmer cloud tops is related to the
open wave stage. This relationship is dependent on the cloud pattern of the maturing
cyclone. Correlations between cloud growth and pressure deepening were calculated but
provide only a general estimate of the relationship between the two parameters. This
study demonstrates the feasibility of using digitized satellite data to quantitatively analyze
the cloud growth and structure of explosively developing cyclones.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
50 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.