Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Cloud-Top Heights from GOES-8 and GOES-9 Stereoscopic Imagery

Donald P. Wylie Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

Search for other papers by Donald P. Wylie in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
David Santek Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

Search for other papers by David Santek in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
David O’C. Starr NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Search for other papers by David O’C. Starr in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Apr 1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1998)037<0405:CTHFGA>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
405–413
Restricted access

Abstract

Operational satellite data from GOES-8 and GOES-9 were used to make stereoscopic measurements of cloud heights during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Subsonic Aircraft: Contrail and Cloud Effects Special Study program. The stereoscopic data were used to differentiate between boundary layer wave clouds and cirrus in the mid- and upper troposphere. This separation was difficult to evaluate from radiometric data alone. Stereographic cloud height analysis provided a definitive result. The technique used for calculating cloud heights is described. GOES-8 and -9 data were better suited for stereoscopic measurements than data from previous satellites.

Corresponding author address: Donald P. Wylie, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1225 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706.

donw@ssec.wisc.edu

Abstract

Operational satellite data from GOES-8 and GOES-9 were used to make stereoscopic measurements of cloud heights during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Subsonic Aircraft: Contrail and Cloud Effects Special Study program. The stereoscopic data were used to differentiate between boundary layer wave clouds and cirrus in the mid- and upper troposphere. This separation was difficult to evaluate from radiometric data alone. Stereographic cloud height analysis provided a definitive result. The technique used for calculating cloud heights is described. GOES-8 and -9 data were better suited for stereoscopic measurements than data from previous satellites.

Corresponding author address: Donald P. Wylie, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1225 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706.

donw@ssec.wisc.edu

Save
Cover Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

  • ARM, 1990: Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Plan Executive Summary. U.S. Department of Energy, DOE/ER-0442, 19 pp.

  • Demoz, B. B., D. O’C. Starr, S. Bowen, and R. Chan, 1998: Wavelet analysis of dynamical processes in cirrus clouds. Geophys. Res. Lett., in press.

  • Fujita, T. T., 1982: Principle of stereoscopic height computations and their applications to stratospheric cirrus over severe thunderstorms. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan,60, 355–368.

  • Hasler, A. F., 1981: Stereoscopic observations from satellites: An important new tool for the atmospheric sciences. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,62, 194–212.

  • ——, and K. R. Morris, 1984: Stereoscopic satellite observations of hurricanes: An update. Preprints, 15th Tech. Conf. Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, Miami, FL, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 132–139.

  • ——, R. Mack,, and A. Negri, 1983: Stereoscopic observations from meteorological satellites. Adv. Space Res.,2, 105–113.

  • ——, J. Strong, R. H. Woodward, and H. Pierce, 1991: Automatic analysis of stereoscopic satellite image pairs for determination of cloud-top height and structure. J. Appl. Meteor.,30, 257–281.

  • Liao, X., W. B. Rossow, and D. Rind, 1996: Comparison between SAGE II and ISCCP high-level clouds 2. Locating cloud tops. J. Geophys. Res.,100, 1137–1165.

  • Mack, R., A. F. Hasler, and R. F. Adler, 1983: Thunderstorm cloud top observations using satellite stereoscopy. Mon. Wea. Rev.,111, 1949–1964.

  • Rodgers, E., R. Mack, and A. F. Hasler, 1983: A satellite stereoscopic technique to estimate tropical cyclone intensity. Mon. Wea. Rev.,111, 1599–1610.

  • Menzel, W. P., and J. F. W. Purdom, 1994: Introducing GOES-I: The first of a new generation of geostationary operational environmental satellites. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,75, 757–781.

  • ——, D. P. Wylie, and K. I. Strabala, 1992: Seasonal and diurnal changes in cirrus clouds as seen in four years of observations with the VAS. J. Appl. Meteor.,31, 370–385.

  • Minnis, P., K. N. Liou, and Y. Takano, 1993a: Inference of cirrus cloud properties using satellite-observed visible and infrared radiances. Part I: Parameterization of radiance. J. Atmos. Sci.,50, 1279–1304.

  • ——, P. W. Heck, and D. F. Young, 1993b: Inference of cirrus cloud properties using satellite-observed visible and infrared radiances. Part II: Verification of theoretical cirrus radiative properties. J. Atmos. Sci.,50, 1305–1322.

  • Platt, C. M. R., and G. L. Stephens, 1980: The interpretation of remotely sensed high cloud emittances. J. Atmos. Sci.,37, 2314–2322.

  • Rossow, W. B., 1989: Measuring cloud properties from space: A review. J. Climate,2, 201–213.

  • ——, and R. A. Schiffer, 1991: ISCCP cloud data products. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,72, 2–20.

  • ——, and L. C. Gardner, 1993: Cloud detection using satellite measurements of infrared and visible radiances for ISCCP. J. Climate,6, 2341–2369.

  • Stokes, G. M., and S. E. Schwartz, 1994: The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program: Programmatic background and design of the cloud and radiation test bed. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,75, 1201–1221.

  • Susskind, J., D. Retuter, and M. T. Chaine, 1987: Cloud fields retrieved from HIRS/MSU data. J. Geophys. Res.,92(D), 4035–4050.

  • Wielicki, B. A., and J. A. Coakley, 1981: Cloud retrieval using infrared sounder data: Error analysis. J. Appl. Meteor.,20, 157–169.

  • ——, and B. Parker, 1992: On the determination of cloud cover from satellite sensors: The effects of sensor spatial resolutions. J. Geophys. Res.,97, 12799–12823.

  • Wylie, D. P., and W. P. Menzel, 1989: Two years of cloud cover statistics using VAS. J. Climate,2, 380–392.

  • ——, ——, H. M. Woolf, and K. I. Strabala, 1994: Four years of global cirrus cloud statistics using HIRS. J. Climate,7, 1972–1986.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 385 75 4
PDF Downloads 148 42 0