SMS–1 Nighttime Infrared Imagery of Low–Level Mountain Waves

Ernst, John A.

doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1976)104<0207:sniiol>2.0.co;2

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Satellite classification of orographic clouds began with the first weather satellite, the Television Infrared Operational Satellite (TIROS I), which was launched in 1960 (e.g., Conover 1964). Since then, mountain wave cloud signatures have been observed in satellite imagery in a number of studies (e.g., Fritz 1965;Ernst 1976;Ellrod 1986). This study makes use of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS; King et al 1992;Salomonson et al 2002) instruments aboard the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua and Terra satellites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mountain Wave Signatures in MODIS 6.7-μm Imagery and Their Relation to Pilot Reports of Turbulence

Uhlenbrock

Bedka

Feltz

et al. 2007

Weather and Forecasting

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A technique for nowcasting turbulent mountain waves over the Front Range of the state of Colorado is investigated using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) water vapor (6.7 μm) channel imagery. Pilot reports of turbulence were examined to determine the probability of turbulence occurring when wave features were observed in the satellite imagery. Analysis of MODIS water vapor imagery indicated that mountain wave signatures were present for approximately 25% of the days during 2004. Approximately 75% of the severely turbulent days, as indicated by pilot reports, had wave signatures in the water vapor imagery. The wave signatures on the severely turbulent days had different characteristics in the imagery than the signatures on days that were less turbulent. The reports of severe turbulence were associated with complex patterns, the appearance of interference, or crossing wave fronts that extended downwind from the mountain ridge for a significant distance. The days that were less turbulent, as reported by pilots, had wave signatures with a simpler pattern, such as linear features orthogonal to the wind flow oriented parallel to one another.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mountain Wave Signatures in MODIS 6.7-μm Imagery and Their Relation to Pilot Reports of Turbulence

Uhlenbrock

Bedka

Feltz

et al. 2007

Weather and Forecasting

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“…Strong vertical motions generated by the oscillating air currents of mountain waves can lead to turbulence. Clouds that form in the lee of mountain ranges are in rows almost parallel to the terrain disturbing the flow; these cloud signatures have been observed in satellite imagery (e.g., Fritz 1965;Ernst 1976;Ellrod 1985). In the absence of sufficient moisture in the atmosphere, wave clouds will not form, despite the fact that a well-developed lee wave and associated turbulence may exist.…”

Section: F Turbulencementioning

confidence: 98%

Satellites See the World’s Atmosphere

Ackerman

Platnick

Bhartia

et al. 2019

Meteorological Monographs

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Satellite meteorology is a relatively new branch of the atmospheric sciences. The field emerged in the late 1950s during the Cold War and built on the advances in rocketry after World War II. In less than 70 years, satellite observations have transformed the way scientists observe and study Earth. This paper discusses some of the key advances in our understanding of the energy and water cycles, weather forecasting, and atmospheric composition enabled by satellite observations. While progress truly has been an international achievement, in accord with a monograph observing the centennial of the American Meteorological Society, as well as limited space, the emphasis of this chapter is on the U.S. satellite effort.

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“…Satellite classification of orographic clouds began with the first weather satellite, the Television Infrared Operational Satellite, which was launched in 1960 [e.g., Conover, 1964]. Since then, many studies reported mountain wave cloud signatures on Earth [e.g., Fritz, 1965;Ernst, 1976], and even Mars [e.g., Kahn and Gierasch, 1982].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observation of mountain lee waves with MODIS NIR column water vapor

Lyapustin

Alexander

Ott

et al. 2014

Geophysical Research Letters

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Mountain lee waves have been previously observed in data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) "water vapor" 6.7 μm channel which has a typical peak sensitivity at 550 hPa in the free troposphere. This paper reports the first observation of mountain waves generated by the Appalachian Mountains in the MODIS total column water vapor (CWV) product derived from near-infrared (NIR) (0.94 μm) measurements, which indicate perturbations very close to the surface. The CWV waves are usually observed during spring and late fall or some summer days with low to moderate CWV (below~2 cm). The observed lee waves display wavelengths from 3-4 to 15 km with an amplitude of variation often comparable to~50-70% of the total CWV. Since the bulk of atmospheric water vapor is confined to the boundary layer, this indicates that the impact of these waves extends deep into the boundary layer, and these may be the lowest level signatures of mountain lee waves presently detected by remote sensing over the land.

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SMS–1 Nighttime Infrared Imagery of Low–Level Mountain Waves

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Mountain Wave Signatures in MODIS 6.7-μm Imagery and Their Relation to Pilot Reports of Turbulence

Mountain Wave Signatures in MODIS 6.7-μm Imagery and Their Relation to Pilot Reports of Turbulence

Satellites See the World’s Atmosphere

Observation of mountain lee waves with MODIS NIR column water vapor

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