Open AccessA Demonstration of Modern Geostationary and Polar-Orbiting Satellite Products for the Identification and Tracking of Elevated Mixed Layers
Author(s) -
Christopher M. Gitro,
Dan Bikos,
Edward J. Szoke,
Michael L. Jurewicz,
Ariel Cohen,
Matthew W. Foster
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of operational meteorology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2325-6184
DOI - 10.15191/nwajom.2019.0713
Subject(s) - geostationary orbit , depth sounding , numerical weather prediction , satellite , remote sensing , geostationary operational environmental satellite , meteorology , tracking (education) , environmental science , advection , precipitable water , polar orbit , computer science , aerospace engineering , geology , geography , water vapor , physics , engineering , psychology , pedagogy , oceanography , thermodynamics
The elevated mixed layer (EML) can be an important aspect for severe thunderstorm forecasting. Because its thermodynamic characteristics vary as it moves eastward, tracking the EML is a crucial part of the forecasting process, something that previously has been quite challenging owing to the limited spatial and temporal resolution of observed soundings and numerical weather prediction (NWP) output. New satellite capabilities allow for improved monitoring/tracking of the EML. These include the 7.34-µm band on the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R series, as well as microwave instruments on polar-orbiting satellites used in the advected layer precipitable water product. Herein it is demonstrated—using several case studies—how using a combination of these products, in tandem with sounding data and NWP output, allows the forecaster to efficiently monitor the EML at greater spatial and temporal resolutions.