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Large-scale precipitation estimates using satellite data; Application to the Indian Monsoon

Abschätzung der großräumigen Niederschlagsverteilung aus Satellitendaten; Anwendung auf den indischen Monsoon

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Summary

Thirty months of continuous low resolution statellite measurements of albedo and emitted longwave radiation are used to study precipitation associated with the Indian Monsoon. Combined with rainfall data for the Indian subcontinent, the satellite data are employed to develop a precipitation intensity index. It is postulated that such an index must first adequately depict the extreme monsoon rainfall regime before it can be applied to the study of rainfall over other regions, especially those devoid of conventional precipitation measurements.

Three monsoons are studied to develop the index: the 1963 monsoon, the strong 1964 monsoon and the very weak 1965 monsoon. The apparently successful quantitative measure of monsoon intensity by use of the precipitation intensity index was checked using independent data for the same region in 1966 and 1969. With the aid of the index the time history of the 1964 and 1965 monsoons are examined showing how the intense cloudiness of the 1964 monsoon lingered for a number of months apparently reducing surface heating significantly preceeding the weak 1965 monsoon. This two-parameter, bi-spectral remote sensing method using satellite data can be tested for other regions using currently available satellite measurements.

Zusammenfassung

Dreißig Monate von Satellitenmessungen niedriger Auflösegenauigkeit von Albedo und ausgehender langwelliger Strahlung wurden zu Studien der Niederschläge im Zusammenhang mit dem indischen Monsun benützt. In Kombination mit Niederschlagsdaten vom indischen Subkontinent eignen sich die Satellitendaten dazu, einen Niederschlagsintensitätsindex zu entwickeln. Es wird verlangt, daß ein derartiger Index zunächst die extremen monsunalen Regenregime zufriedenstellend beschreiben kann, bevor er auf die Niederschläge über anderen Gebieten angewendet werden kann, besonders über Gebieten, aus denen keine üblichen Niederschlagsmessungen vorhanden sind.

Drei Monsunperioden wurden zur Ableitung dieses Index herangezogen: der Monsun von 1963, der starke Monsun von 1964 und der sehr schwache Monsun von 1965. Die offensichtlich erfolgreiche quantitative Abschätzung der Monsunintensität unter Verwendung des Niederschlagsintensitätsindex wurde mittels unabhängiger Daten von derselben Region für die Jahre 1966 und 1969 überprüft. Mit Hilfe dieses Index wird die zeitliche Entwicklung des Monsuns während der Jahre 1964 und 1965 untersucht, wobei sich zeigt, daß die intensive Bewölkung des Monsuns im Jahre 1964 eine Reihe von Monaten anhielt und offensichtlich die Bodenerwärmung vor der schwachen Monsunperiode 1965 signifikant verminderte. Diese auf zwei Parametern und zwei Spektralbereichen begründete Satellitenmeßmethode kann nunmehr für andere Gebiete verwendet werden, wofür die dazu erforderlichen Satellitendaten derzeit bereits erhältlich sind.

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Author notes

  1. T. H. Vonder Haar

    Present address: Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, 80521, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A.

  2. G. J. Dittberner USAF (Capt.)

    Present address: Air Weather Service, 80521, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, 80521, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A.

    G. J. Dittberner USAF (Capt.)

  2. Air Force Global Weather Central, Offut AFB, Nebraska

    G. J. Dittberner USAF (Capt.) &  T. H. Vonder Haar

Authors
  1. G. J. Dittberner USAF
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  2. T. H. Vonder Haar
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The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense.

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Dittberner, G.J., Haar, T.H.V. Large-scale precipitation estimates using satellite data; Application to the Indian Monsoon. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl. B. 21, 317–334 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02253311

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