If you want to know one of many reasons that NOAA and federal investments in weather technology are important, consider some of the weather satellite and radar imagery available during the past few days.
Below is a visible satellite image from one of NOAA's GOES Geostationary weather satellites. Such satellites are parked over the equator around 36,000 km above the Earth's surface.The star indicates Seattle, and you can see a potent frontal band of clouds offshore (blue arrow). When that front moved in, we had some rain. This front was shearing apart at this time, with the lower portion lagging behind, as indicated by a thin line of clouds (red arrow).
This feature is called a narrow cold frontal rainband and was discovered by UW researchers.
In addition to the geostationary satellites and weather radars, NOAA and NASA have some low-flying (about 800 km above the surface) polar orbiting weather satellites. Such satellites give a much higher resolution view of the clouds and the Earth's surface.
While the image of the Columbia Basin can even identify individual irrigated fields.
Behind the front, there was cold, unstable air that produced fields of cumulus clouds with clear areas in between (noted as well). When such cumulus activity moves in, we receive our famous showers and sunbreaks.
Another valued piece of NOAA weather hardware is the weather radar network, with several radars in our area.
As the frontal bands moved over land yesterday, you could see the broad band of precipitation with the primary frontal band (red arrow) and s narrow one with the surface front. Look closely, and you can view showers on the windward (western) side of the Olympics. Marvelous, but expensive technology.
Friday afternoon, a much weaker front was offshore (see below) and will move in overnight.
Here is the view of Western WA today from the MODIS satellite.
The U.S. has built a marvelous and expensive weather observing system, and I suspect that no one, of either party, wants it to go away.
Scientifically and aesthetically beautiful...thank you Dr. Mass
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures no doubt. But I wonder if the professional weather services have much higher resolution images available to them?
ReplyDeleteI watered everything today because of the sunny mild weather even some of my plants were wilting a bit. I'm looking forward to a hot dry summer this year.
ReplyDeleteDera Dr. Mass, as a resident of Lopez Island I often marvel at the rain shadow effect over the San Juan Islands as frequently shown on the UW Radar Loop. On rare occasions we get a "negative" shadow or a patch of rain over the San Juans that seems to appear out of nowhere. Can you explain that phenomenon? Thanks.
ReplyDeletehmm, didn't want to discuss the cuts coming to the program?
ReplyDelete