Satellite and Radar Analysis of Mesoscale Weather Systems.

Relationships between satellite visible and I.R. gray levels, and such parameters as the existence of radar echoes, ceiling height and surface visibility are studied using SMS-1/GOES satellite data, digital radar data, surface observations from first order stations, and the Kennedy Space Center Image 100 Multispectral Image Analyzer. Radar echo/rainfall relationships are also studied using rain gauge data from the 1975 FACE mesonetwork. The results from four case studies during August 1975 show that radar echoes occurred, without exception, when both types of satellite gray levels exceeded a value of 183 based on a scale of 0 (black) to 255 (white). Other joint relationships are described for lower gray levels. It is shown that the lowest ceilings and surface visibilities occurred with the satellite visible levels near 100 and the I.R. levels near 130 and 110 respectively. An example is presented showing the simulation of a radar echo pattern from themed satellite visible data on 14 August 1975. And computer programs are appended for converting 7-track NHEML KART digital radar tapes to 9-track tapes with suitable block size and format for the KSC PDP 11/35 computer system. (Author)