Analysis of the 1993 midwestern flood using satellite and ground data

Abstract

The 1993 summer flood event in the midwestern United States was one of the most devastating floods of modern times. Record amounts of rain fell throughout the midwest causing extensive damage. The precipitation events can be attributed to anomalies in atmospheric circulation patterns and jet stream flows. These factors coupled with the above normal soil moisture beginning in the end of May 1993 set the stage for a massive flood event with the advent of considerable precipitation. The authors attempt to relate this increased soil moisture to the afternoon minus morning surface temperature differences as observed by the high resolution infrared sounder (HIRS2) on the NOAA-11 and NOAA-12 satellites. It is seen using satellite data that increased rainfall decreases this diurnal surface temperature difference. This is related to the discharge values at gauging stations along the Mississippi River at McGregor, IA (upstream) and St. Louis, MO (downstream).