Observations from Space and Thermal Convection: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

An abbreviated historical account of the evolution of the satellite meteorology program is presented. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the satellite and its space platform for observing and studying atmospheric convection. Particular attention is focused on the role of the space program in establishing atmospheric manifestations of Benard-Rayleigh convection, as well as on the applicability of classical thermal convection studies to atmospheric processes. Examples of mesoscale cellular convection and related convective phenomena are presented and discussed briefly.

Pockets of Open Cells and Drizzle in Marine Stratocumulus

“…Upon closer examination such low reflectivity pockets or bands are rarely completely clear; instead they evince an underlying patterning reminiscent of open cellular convection (Agee 1984). The extent of this patterning varies among cases and, for any particular case, with time.…”

Initial investigations of microscale cellular convection in an equatorial marine atmospheric boundary layer revealed by lidar

“…Cellular convection has been characterized from satellite observations of clouds in the equatorial region (Agee, 1984), and to a limited degree over land using aircraft time-series data (Williams and Hacker, 1993 Many one dimensional properties of convection and massenergy transport within the MABL have been analyzed with the available observational tools for over 50 years. A large body of literature indicates that thermally-induced coherent plumes are responsible for much of the water vapor transport from the sea surface to the free atmosphere (Stull, 1988 Prex)ious work showed that the topography of the surface and mixed layers is formed in-part by discrete plume features (Cooper et a1.1992;1996), presumably rising as they are moisture rich in comparison with the surrounding air.…”

ACTINOFORM CLOUDS: Overlooked Examples of Cloud Self-Organization at the Mesoscale

“…A great deal of work has been done both observationally and theoretically to understand the relationships between MCC and Rayleigh-Benard convection. The extensive literature on MCC has been reviewed by Agee (1984) and Atkinson and Zhang (1996).…”

“…Society (Agee 1984). In fact, this particular class of clouds is not mentioned in the second edition of the (Glickman 2000).…”