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Estimating Vertical Motion Profile Shape within Tropical Weather States. Zachary Handlos and Larissa Back University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/thunderstorm.jpg.
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Estimating Vertical Motion Profile Shape within Tropical Weather States Zachary Handlos and Larissa Back University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/thunderstorm.jpghttp://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/thunderstorm.jpg • Convection/Large Scale Circulation Vertical Structure http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/hires/2009/6-tropicalstor.jpg http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/rsd/images/goes8_lg.jpg
Hypothesis • Vertical motion profile shape varies (in space and time) in association with weather states. • We explore this hypothesis by estimating vertical motion profile shape using observed precipitation and surface convergence data.
Weather States Adapted from Rossow et al (2005)
Stratiform Rain Fraction and Vertical Motion Profiles Houze (2004)
Vertical Motion (Heating) Profiles in West, East Pacific Percent Stratiform Rain Fraction:
Where to go from here: • Going to construct Vertical Motion Profiles • Use relationship between precipitation, surface convergence, basis functions
PCA: vertical motion data http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/2778/angel-investment-9.gif
Estimating ω Profiles Solve for vertical motion: Basis Functions Ω1, Ω2 Solve for amplitudes o1, o2: Dry Static Energy Budget: Ms1, Ms2 = adiabatic cooling per unit amplitude (balanced by latent heating) Input observational data Mass Continuity: c1, c2 surface convergence of each basis function
Conclusions • Stratiform rain fraction does not explain geographic variability in vertical motion “bottom-heaviness” • Vertical motion profile “bottom-heaviness” associated with precipitation, surface convergence variability • ISCCP weather states associated with unique profile shapes