Convective cloud climatologies constructed from satellite imagery.

Abstract

Composites of satellite imagery are constructed for various hours and various summer months on Colorado State University's interactive processing system. Simple averages of visible wavelength imagery are considered as well as averages of bispectrally classified data. The classified images use both visible wavelength and infrared wavelength data to identify probable deep convection. Results reveal the diurnal convective cycle over the Rocky Mountains and high plains in greater detail than has been previously possible. The convective frequency composites are compared with precipitation averages and differences between 'normal' versus severe weather patterns are discussed. Practical forecasting applications for the composited data are suggested and discussed. -Authors