Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch

Satellite Interpretation of Orographic Clouds

Contributors: Scott Lindstrom, Scott Bachmeier, WFO ABQ, WFO FGZ, WFO BOU, WFO LOX, WFO VEF, WFO PIH and COMET

Introduction

Objectives:

1. Identification of various orographic clouds
2. Satellite interpretation for various events where orography played a significant role.

Topics:

• Mountain clouds (lee-wave, cirrus, wall)
• Severe downslope winds
• Orographic convergence zones
• Gap winds
• Impact of orography on convection

Training Session Options

NOAA/NWS students – to begin the training, use the web-based video, YouTube video, or audio playback options below (if present for this session). Certificates of completion for NOAA/NWS employees can be obtained by accessing the session via the Commerce Learning Center.

1. Audio playback (recommended for low-bandwidth users) – This is an audio playback version in the form of a downloadable VISITview and can be taken at anytime.

   Create a directory to download the audio playback file (134 MB) from the following link: http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/training/visit/training_sessions/satellite_interpretation_of_orographic_clouds/satellite_interpretation_of_orographic_clouds_audio.exe

   After extracting the files into that directory click on either the visitplay.bat or visitauto.bat file to start the lesson. If both files are present, use visitauto.bat

2. YouTube video:

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References/Additional Links

• Talking points  are available for this lesson and may be printed out to easily review the session in detail at any time.
• Real-time CRAS model output
• Synthetic imagery from the NSSL WRF-ARW and NAM Nest