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Title: Aircraft observations of the vertical structure of stratiform precipitation relevant to microwave radiative transfer

Abstract

The retrieval of rainfall intensity over the oceans from passive microwave observations is based on a radiative transfer model. direct rainfall observations of oceanic rainfall are virtually nonexistent making validation of the retrievals extremely difficult. Observations of the model assumptions provide an alternative approach for improving and developing confidence in the rainfall retrievals. In the winter of 1983, the NASA CV-990 aircraft was equipped with a payload suitable for examining several of the model assumptions. The payload included microwave and infrared radiometers, mirror hygrometers, temperature probes, and PMS probes. On two occasions the aircraft ascended on a spiral track through stratiform precipitation providing an opportunity to study the atmospheric parameters. The assumptions concerning liquid hydrometeors, water vapor, lapse rate, and nonprecipitating clouds were studied. Model assumptions seem to be supported by these observations. 23 refs., 7 figs.

Authors:
 [1]; ;  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (United States)
  2. Phillips Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (United States)
  3. NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC (United States)
  4. Texas A M Univ., College Station (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6069618
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Applied Meteorology; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 32:6; Journal ID: ISSN 0894-8763
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; EARTH ATMOSPHERE; ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION; MICROWAVE RADIATION; ENERGY TRANSFER; RAIN; REMOTE SENSING; STRATIFICATION; AIRCRAFT; CLOUDS; INFRARED SPECTROMETERS; METEOROLOGY; MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT; SATELLITES; WATER VAPOR; ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT; FLUIDS; GASES; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; RADIATIONS; SPECTROMETERS; VAPORS; 540110*

Citation Formats

Chang, A T.C., Barnes, A, Glass, M, Kakar, R, and Wilheit, T T. Aircraft observations of the vertical structure of stratiform precipitation relevant to microwave radiative transfer. United States: N. p., 1993. Web. doi:10.1175/1520-0450(1993)032<1083:AOOTVS>2.0.CO;2.
Chang, A T.C., Barnes, A, Glass, M, Kakar, R, & Wilheit, T T. Aircraft observations of the vertical structure of stratiform precipitation relevant to microwave radiative transfer. United States. https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1993)032<1083:AOOTVS>2.0.CO;2
Chang, A T.C., Barnes, A, Glass, M, Kakar, R, and Wilheit, T T. 1993. "Aircraft observations of the vertical structure of stratiform precipitation relevant to microwave radiative transfer". United States. https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1993)032<1083:AOOTVS>2.0.CO;2.
@article{osti_6069618,
title = {Aircraft observations of the vertical structure of stratiform precipitation relevant to microwave radiative transfer},
author = {Chang, A T.C. and Barnes, A and Glass, M and Kakar, R and Wilheit, T T},
abstractNote = {The retrieval of rainfall intensity over the oceans from passive microwave observations is based on a radiative transfer model. direct rainfall observations of oceanic rainfall are virtually nonexistent making validation of the retrievals extremely difficult. Observations of the model assumptions provide an alternative approach for improving and developing confidence in the rainfall retrievals. In the winter of 1983, the NASA CV-990 aircraft was equipped with a payload suitable for examining several of the model assumptions. The payload included microwave and infrared radiometers, mirror hygrometers, temperature probes, and PMS probes. On two occasions the aircraft ascended on a spiral track through stratiform precipitation providing an opportunity to study the atmospheric parameters. The assumptions concerning liquid hydrometeors, water vapor, lapse rate, and nonprecipitating clouds were studied. Model assumptions seem to be supported by these observations. 23 refs., 7 figs.},
doi = {10.1175/1520-0450(1993)032<1083:AOOTVS>2.0.CO;2},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6069618}, journal = {Journal of Applied Meteorology; (United States)},
issn = {0894-8763},
number = ,
volume = 32:6,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993},
month = {Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993}
}