Radar & Satellite Flashcards
What precipitation particles will reflect more radar energy?
More or larger precipitation particles
What’s more reflective, water droplets or snow?
Water droplets
True or False?
Precipitation intensity is related to the strength of the reflected radar beam.
True
What is the difference between National Composite Radar and Western Composite Radar Display?
Western shows a region in greater detail, more zoomed in.
What does a “Echo Top Product” provide?
It provides an estimate of the maximum height of clouds where precipitation occurs.
When are errors more likely regarding the echo top?
As we move away from the radar.
What do satellite images measure?
The sunlight reflected by clouds and surface of the earth.
What is “albedo”?
The percent of sunlight reflected by some feature in the atmosphere.
Which clouds have a higher albedo, thick or thin?
Thick clouds
Infrared measures what regarding clouds and the surface of the Earth?
Temperature
A high cloud is _____ than a low cloud.
Colder, temperature is inversely proportional to height in atmosphere.
Gray, blue and red colours indicate what cloud temperatures? Which one is more likely to produce rain?
Gray: relatively warm
Blue: cooler
Red: coldest clouds, more likely to produce rain.
What are the best reflectors regarding precipitation?
Hail> Rain> Snow> Drizzle
How do Plan Position Indicator (PPI) and Constant Altitude Plan Position Indicator (CAPPI) differ?
PPI: Radar beams assess precipitation at several altitudes
CAPPI: Assesses precipitation at one altitude.
What is Anomalous Propagation?
False returns due to terrain
What type of radar is used for radar avoidance?
A/C radar
If heavier precipitation is detected, turbulence is greatest except when?
A dry microburst and evaporative cooling
Which type of satellite can work day and night, which one only works during the day?
Infrared works day n night, visual only during the day
How does GEOS satellite remain stationary to earth?
Orbits the earth at the same rate the earth spins
How does a GEOS satellite scan the earth?
Bi-directionally (think mowing your grass, E->W, move down, W->E.
Where is the Sub point for a GEOS satellite?
The spot on the equator, directly beneath the satellite.
How does a Polar Orbiting Satellite orbit the earth?
It passes over either pole
What is the altitude of a POES satellite?
850 KM
What is the scan path of a POES satellite?
E/W, motion of satellite takes care of N/S
A large area and uniform temperature is which type of cloud?
Stratiform
A small cloud with a sharp temperature gradient is which type of cloud?
Convective
True or False?
Snow and CB have the highest albedo.
True
What is solar elevation and what does it express regarding a higher sun?
Solar elevation: angle between sun and satellite. A higher sun means brighter surfaces.
Wave clouds and mountain waves are similar, how are they different?
Mountain waves occur in lee of mountain, spacing is more uniform, they are parallel to mountain range and they are stationary.
On both IR and visual, whiter terrain indicates what?
Higher terrain tops
How do TS’s appear on imagery?
White cells
Ice crystals are ____ reflective than water droplets.
More
Thinner clouds are _____ reflective than thicker clouds
Less
Thick stratiform clouds appear as what on imagery?
Bright and uniform
Small diameter and bright tops describe what types of cloud?
TCU or CB
Small, cellular and dull describe what type of cloud?
CU
True of False?
In order to determine cloud and surface feature analysis both IF and VIS must be looked at.
True
