Abstract
Introduction of upper-level potential vorticity (PV) to developing surface low pressure systems is a key component to cyclogenesis. These anomalous PV features generally occur in regions where stratospheric air has penetrated into the troposphere. Operational forecasters need tools to quickly identify PV anomalies via both cloud patterns and atmospheric characteristics because time is limited to make decisions and issue forecasts. A multispectral red, green, and blue (RGB) imagery product from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is presented that combines the utility of single-channel cloud information from infrared and water vapor imagery with information about ozone content into a single satellite image that assigns specific colors to specific atmospheric characteristics. Referred to as the Air Mass product, it provides detection of cloud and PV features associated with cyclogenesis as demonstrated for a Nor’easter in October 2011 by comparing the imagery to PV in Global Forecast System model analyses and total ozone from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder. Development of the Air Mass RGB product from MODIS serves as a precursor and training tool for capabilities from the forthcoming operational Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R series Advanced Baseline Imager.
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