Open AccessThe mushroom configuration in water vapour imagery and operational applications
Author(s) -
Martín F,
Elizaga F,
Riosalido R
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
meteorological applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1469-8080
pISSN - 1350-4827
DOI - 10.1017/s1350482799001085
Subject(s) - meteorology , geology , flow (mathematics) , environmental science , computer science , geometry , mathematics , geography
This paper deals with ‘mushroom‐shaped’ patterns that may be observed in water vapour (WV) imagery. Its associated conceptual model has been adapted from the ‘T’ configuration. For this model some remarkable properties of WV imagery have been used: the spatial and temporal continuity of atmospheric structures, the more detailed upper‐level circulation features and the possibility of observing and monitoring relationships between them. Using this model, and from the kinematic viewpoint, it is possible to infer some features such as deformation zones, rotation centres (vorticity centres) and relative maxima of wind in the upper‐middle‐level flows. Some examples are presented to show the usefulness of this conceptual model for the interpretation of WV imagery, the diagnosis of upper‐middle‐level flow and the evaluation of the numerical model. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society