The Relationship of Marine Stratus Clouds to Wind and Temperature Advection

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

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Barry B. Hinton Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

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Kevin Kloesel Meteorology Department, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

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Abstract

We have studied the changes in marine stratocumulus cloud cover observed during the FIRF, Program and how cloud cover related to synoptic conditions. Statistical analyses of the 21 day FIRE period show that marine stratocumulus cloud cover over the eastern Pacific ocean was related to wind direction and temperature advection. Good coorelations were found between the cloud cover fraction observed on satellite imagery and the NMC Global Spectral Model analyses of surface winds and temperature advection. This comparison was made in even locations in the Eastern Pacific. Regional differences were found between the area of FIRE operations several hundred kilometers west of San Diego and the other oceanic areas studied.

Abstract

We have studied the changes in marine stratocumulus cloud cover observed during the FIRF, Program and how cloud cover related to synoptic conditions. Statistical analyses of the 21 day FIRE period show that marine stratocumulus cloud cover over the eastern Pacific ocean was related to wind direction and temperature advection. Good coorelations were found between the cloud cover fraction observed on satellite imagery and the NMC Global Spectral Model analyses of surface winds and temperature advection. This comparison was made in even locations in the Eastern Pacific. Regional differences were found between the area of FIRE operations several hundred kilometers west of San Diego and the other oceanic areas studied.

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