New Cloud Detection Index (CDI) for Forecasting the Extreme Rain Events

Abstract

The water vapor content and clouds play a very significant role in atmospheric conditions. This paper is derived from the new cloud detection index (CDI) which is useful to forecast extreme weather events like heavy or extreme rain. The CDI is retrieved using two crucial elements of cloud formation, the critical humidity and critical water vapor. The cloud thickness is determined by using CDI for a radiosonde site (VABB) located in Mumbai, the western part of India. The obtained results are compared with the cloud thickness required for extreme rain. The outcome of the comparison is discussed in this paper. The cloud detection index is also useful in establishing the atmospheric stability along with another four atmospheric stability indices.

A comparison of stability indices and precipitable water derived from radiosonde data collected at two nearby locations and weather radar data in Brazil

“…Essentially, the stability indices indicate the ability of air parcels to rise in the atmosphere and are calculated using the differences in temperature between an air parcel and surrounding environment, a comparison between the air temperature at ground level and at higher altitudes, the moisture content of the atmosphere, and wind shear. Several stability indices have been created since the 1950s (see Palarz & Celiński-Mysław, 2017 for a list of the most commonly used stability indices) and new indices are still being developed (Ramseyer et al, 2019;Shastri & Pathak, 2019). The analysis of these indices allows the researcher to determine, for example, the possibility of occurrence of localized storms or severe weather hazards (da Silva et al, 2017).…”