Winter Storms (2 of 2)
The ability to view matching visible, 10.7 um IR [window channel] and 6.7um IR
[water vapor] images, and to quickly scroll back and forth betwen them, greatly aids
in the interpretation of the 3.9 um image. Images from these channels, at 1945 UTC
on 7 January 1996, are shown in the order just described, from top left (VIS) to bottom
right (3.9 um). Note the appearance of the cloud regimes, previously described in the
3.9 um channel loop, in the other image channels. The 10.7 um IR image shows cloud top temperatures which are very close to their actual temperatures, except within regions
of thin cirrus.
The 6.7 um image identifies the area of mid-level subsidence and drying
lying above a shallow stratus layer, located upstream of the comma shaped cloud
feature. The visible image shows structure and cloud texture at cloud top, which varies
in appearance among the different cloud regimes. Finally, the 3.9 um image provides
information relevant to the phase of the cloud tops, due to the large differences in
reflected radiation between the ice and water clouds.
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