Transcript No Slide Title

Processing Meteorological Satellite Information to Nowcast
Convective Initiation and Convective Character from Space
Personnel: John Mecikalski (Principal Investigator) and Kristopher Bedka
Objective:
• Develop methods to identify and quantify the precursors to convective initiation (CI) within
geostationary (GOES-12) satellite imagery. Quantify the “interest fields” important for
convective characterization and the nowcasting of convective initiation.
• Infuse satellite-based CI nowcasting products into NCAR Product Development Teams (PDT’s)
convective weather diagnostics to improve aviation safety
Accomplishments:
• Development of a “convective cloud mask” using 1 km resolution visible data
• Utilized UW-CIMSS Visible, IR, and Water Vapor satellite-derived winds to assess cloud-top
temperature trends in moving cumulus clouds
• Combined both infrared and visible analysis techniques to produce the project’s first CI
nowcasts at 1 km horizontal resolution
• Development of a web-page for real-time display of CI interest fields and nowcasts
Funded by: NASA New Investigator Award (NAG5-12536)
CIMSS Board of Directors Meeting
12 December 2003
Convective Cloud Mask Animation, 1900-1945 UTC, May 4, 2003
Red: Immature Cumulus, Green: Mature Cumulonimbus/Cirrus
Technique uses 2-D brightness thresholds/gradients, 10.7 μm TB and 6.5-10.7 μm thresholds
CIMSS Board of Directors Meeting
12 December 2003
Cloud Top Cooling Estimates using Cloud Motion Vectors
1900 UTC
45-minute Cloud-Top Cooling Estimate
ΔTB = 10.7 μm TB (1945-1900 UTC)
1945 UTC
• Evaluates the growth rate of developing cumulus
clouds using a 1 km satellite-derived wind field
CIMSS Board of Directors Meeting
12 December 2003
Preliminary CI Nowcasts, April 6th and May 4th, 2003
Red: Pixels with High CI potential, Grey: Cirrus Clouds
1445 UTC
CIMSS Board of Directors Meeting
1600 UTC
1945 UTC
2030 UTC
12 December 2003
UW-CIMSS Convective Initiation Studies Web Page
http:biscayne.ssec.wisc.edu/~johnm/CI_home.html
CIMSS Board of Directors Meeting
12 December 2003