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Observation and interpretation of wave clouds over Macquarie Island
Author(s) -
Mitchell R. M.,
Cechet R. P.,
Turner P. J.,
Elsum C. C.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49711649310
Subject(s) - radiosonde , wavelength , mode (computer interface) , geology , amplitude , interpretation (philosophy) , meteorology , cloud computing , climatology , remote sensing , physics , optics , computer science , programming language , operating system
Images obtained from two NOAA/AVHRR overpasses of Macquarie Island in October 1985 show pronounced cloud bands associated with trapped lee waves. One image reveals striking evidence of an abrupt change in the propagating wave mode. the structure and evolution of the waves is interpreted using a linear wave‐model coupled with radiosonde data obtained from the island. the model successfully forecasts the mode change, and accurately predicts the associated wavelengths. an interpretation of the difference between the amplitudes of the two modes is also provided. Infrared channel measurement of the temperature of the cloud in the wave‐crests yields a useful constraint on the cloud height.