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Estimating Vertical Motion Profile Shape within Tropical Weather States

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

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  1. Estimating Vertical Motion Profile Shape within Tropical Weather States Zachary Handlos and Larissa Back University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. CTP-TAU Histogram Rossow et al (2005)

  5. Weather States Adapted from Rossow et al (2005)

  6. Stratiform Rain Fraction and Vertical Motion Profiles Houze (2004)

  7. Vertical Motion (Heating) Profiles in West, East Pacific Percent Stratiform Rain Fraction:

  8. Surface Convergence, Precipitation and ω Profiles

  9. Where to go from here: • Going to construct Vertical Motion Profiles • Use relationship between precipitation, surface convergence, basis functions

  10. Basis Functions

  11. PCA: vertical motion data http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/2778/angel-investment-9.gif

  12. 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

  13. Weather State ω-profiles

  14. Weather State ω-profiles

  15. 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

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