Article Type:
Research Article

Some Observations of the Clearing of Cumulus Clouds Downwind from Snow-Covered Areas

M. Segal Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa

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C. Anderson Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa

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R. W. Arritt Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa

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R. M. Rabin Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, Oklahoma, and Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

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D. W. Martin Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 1999
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1999)127<1687:SOOTCO>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1687–1692
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Abstract

Satellite images that illustrate the clearing of cumulus clouds downwind from snow-covered areas are presented. The cloud clearing resembles that occasionally observed with lakes during warm advection, supporting the suggestion that the thermal forcing associated with a uniform snow-covered area is comparable to that of a cold-water lake of similar size. Analysis of snow cover patterns in the central United States suggests that the climatological probability for situations conducive to the cloud clearing is at most once per month.

Corresponding author address: Moti Segal, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, IA 50011-1010.

Abstract

Satellite images that illustrate the clearing of cumulus clouds downwind from snow-covered areas are presented. The cloud clearing resembles that occasionally observed with lakes during warm advection, supporting the suggestion that the thermal forcing associated with a uniform snow-covered area is comparable to that of a cold-water lake of similar size. Analysis of snow cover patterns in the central United States suggests that the climatological probability for situations conducive to the cloud clearing is at most once per month.

Corresponding author address: Moti Segal, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, IA 50011-1010.

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