Satellite Studies of the Southwest East Asian Monsoon

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The primary goal of Professor Smith's project is to obtain from satellite data estimates of the distribution of vertical heating over the southwest portion of the monsoon region in East Asia for a three year period. The project involves the development of new retrieval algorithms for Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data. Estimates of precipitating rain and ice are produced from which latent heating profiles are deduced. These estimates, combined with satellite-derived radiative cooling estimates, will then be used to analyze the meridional circulation and atmospheric energy budgets in the region. In addition, Professor Smith will examine the heat sources and sinks over the Tibetan and Mongolian Plateaus. Dr. Smith is one of a very few university scientists working on the critically area. Research of this type is essential if we are to realize the potential for remotely sensed information from satellites.