Shown below is a comparison of the UWCI Cloud Top Cooling (CTC) overlaid with the jet routes from the ASDI tool, and base reflectivity for the same time periods. In this case, the area of interest lays just off the coast of the Carolinas and Georgia, particularly close to the major flight route between Miami and D.C.
The CTC product indicated rapid growth in a particular area of cumulus clouds beginning to edge out of the radar range. While the radar resolution decreased, the visible satellite confirmed that the CTC product successfully identified an area of cumulus which grew into a mature thunderstorm. This is an example of how the CTC algorithm may aid in convection forecasting in areas where radar coverage may be sparse, especially over open-water jet routes.
Additionally, while this case only involved one particular area of developing cumulus clouds, the CTC algorithm also has the potential to identify areas in which convection may be filling in. Pilots can easily divert around a single cell, but in a developing squall line or a broader area of convection it is much more difficult to find a safe and viable route through (if there is one at all). The CTC identifies potential areas of intense convection, and subsequently, areas which have not yet developed and may still be used as a divert.
 |
| Fig. 1a: 1432 UTC 120604 UWCI Cloud Top Cooling and ASDI flight routes |
 |
| Fig. 1b: 1432 UTC 120604 Base Reflectivity |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Fig. 2a: 1515 UTC 120604 UWCI Cloud Top Cooling and ASDI flight routes |
|
 |
| Fig. 2b: 1512 UTC 120604 Base Reflectivity |
 |
| Fig. 3a: 1602 UTC 120604 UWCI Cloud Top Cooling and ASDI flight routes |
 |
| Fig. 3b: 1602 UTC 120604 Base Reflectivity |
No comments:
Post a Comment