Extended Abstract (1.3M)P2.15
Investigation into environmental conditions for storm initiation over the ocean using satellite data
Huaqing Cai, NCAR, Boulder, CO; and C. Kessinger, N. Rehak, and D. Megenhardt
The importance of short term storm initiation forecasts has been recognized by the aviation community
for a long time; however, the skill to correctly forecast storm initiation remains poor, even over
land where dense, surface-based observational networks are available. Over the ocean, storm initiation
forecasts become even more challenging, owing to the lack of surface-based observational networks
such as surface mesonets or the WSR-88D radar network. Recognizing the difficulty that the lack of
surface-based observations causes, this study strives to utilize satellite-derived environmental
parameters to identify favorable conditions for storm initiation over the ocean. The environmental
fields being evaluated include: (1) sea surface temperature, (2) convergence and vorticity derived
from QuikSCAT near-surface winds, (3) CAPE, CIN and relative humidity derived from AIRS soundings.
Examples of typical storm initiation cases over the Gulf of Mexico will be discussed. Statistical
properties of each environmental parameter that is favorable for storm initiation will be presented.
Poster Session 2, Modeling and Range Posters
Tuesday, 22 January 2008, 9:45 AM-11:00 AM, Exhibit Hall B
Previous paper Next paper