A Physical-Numerical Model for Inferring Tropospheric Structure from Satellite Radiation Measurements. Note on the Relationship Between Total Perciptable Water and Surface Dew Point. The Contribution of Infrared Cooling to the Vertical Motion Field and It

摘要

The research presented in the form of an annual report consists of three studies which have been supported by United States Weather Bureau Grant WBG 52. The studies presented in this year's report are primarily concerned with 1) an investigation of an inference technique that may play an important role in obtaining data necessary for global analysis and large-scale energetics studies, and (2) with the evaluation of a method that is currently employed in many energy conversion investigations. The method suggested by Smith to infer vertical temperature and moisture profiles from infrared radiation measurements made from a satellite may eventually lead to a global coverage of atmospheric temperature and moisture data. This information combined with satellite measurements of the amount of energy entering and leaving the earth-atmosphere system is a prerequisite to an adequate understanding of atmospheric energetics. The study by Bullock, Horn, and Johnson involving contribution of infrared radiation processes to the vertical motion field points out some of the limitations of using the adiabatic method to obtain vertical motion. The results of the study imply that the neglect of non-adiabatic processes in evaluating vertical motions may lead to significant underestimations of the conversion of available potential energy to kinetic energy. (Author)