SATELLITE MICROWAVE MEASUREMENTS OF ATMOSPHERIC WATER-VAPOR AND MARINE WIND-SPEED - CASE-STUDY APPLICATION

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TitleSATELLITE MICROWAVE MEASUREMENTS OF ATMOSPHERIC WATER-VAPOR AND MARINE WIND-SPEED - CASE-STUDY APPLICATION
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1990
AuthorsJury, MR, WALISER, D
JournalSOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE-SUID-AFRIKAANSE TYDSKRIF VIR SEEWETENSKAP
Volume9
Pagination309-316
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN0257-7615
AbstractVertically integrated atmospheric water vapour and surface wind speed over the oceans are derived from the SSM/I microwave sensor aboard the DMSP F8 satellite. A description of the sensor and its capabilities is provided. As an example, water vapour and wind fields surrounding southern Africa are analysed for anomaly structure over the period of the floods of 1988 from 16 January to 31 March. Positive anomalies of water vapour during the peak-flood episodes originate from the Mocambique Channel. Surface winds were particularly strong over the Agulhas Current. The spatial pattern points to a strengthening of the Hadley circulation cell and to west-moving convective systems which drew moisture from the south-western Indian Ocean to the central plateau of South Africa.