Method for Improving the Estimation of Conditional Instability from Satellite Retrievals

摘要

A method is presented for improving the estimation of conditional instability from satellite retrievals in pre-convective environments. The study is accomplished with a set of radiances simulated for the VAS-D instrument from a data base comprised of 139 tornado proximity and precedent soundings. Basically, a guess moisture profile is modeled in two layers characteristic of pre-storm conditions. In addition, a stability index (termed the Parcel Energy or PE index) is introduced which optimizes satellite retrieval information for assessing conditional instability.