Satellite Applications for Detection of Atmospheric Turbulence Related to Tropopause Folding

A derived product image called the altered water vapor (AWV) product is used to resolve areas of tropopause folding in real time over the United States, which indicates areas of potential clear air turbulence. The AWV product is derived from the GOES water vapor channel and adjusted to show variations in upper-tropospheric spectific humidity only. Gradients in this imagery are indicative of gradients in tropopause height, which are then associated with tropopause folds. These satellite-derived tropopause folds are quality-checked with the GOES sounder total ozone product, and validated with pilot reports of turbulence and with eddy-diffusion rate data from commercial aircraft.