Extratropical Cyclone Hydrometeor Vertical and Horizontal Spatial Correlation Structure

该项目将利用对观测到的雷达反射率进行统计相关分析，调查水凝物（云和降水）场的垂直和水平空间结构，这些雷达反射率在CloudSat等卫星数据、推导出的地面降雨率和其他卫星数据（包括AMSR-E、中分辨率成像光谱仪和CERES检索数据）中得到证实。综合所有观测资料的初步分析表明，南半球的热带外地区在水平和垂直方向上的水凝物发生相关长度比北方的长，而降水发生相关长度则短。为了深入了解这种半球差异，计划在南太平洋地区应用合成技术，找出控制气旋降水和云结构的因素。 该项目将促进发现和理解，同时通过直接支持研究生研究员来促进教学和学习，研究生研究员将就此研究举办当地研讨会，并通过会议演讲和同行评议出版物传播研究成果。

This project will investigate the vertical and horizontal spatial structure of hydrometeor (cloud and precipitation) fields using statistical correlation analysis applied to observed radar reflectivity as evidenced in satellite data e.g. CloudSat, derived surface rain-rates and other satellite data (including AMSR-E, MODIS, and CERES retrievals). Preliminary analysis incorporating all observations regardless of synoptic conditions, has indicated that southern hemisphere extratropics have longer correlation lengths of hydrometeor occurrence in the horizontal and vertical than the northern hemisphere, however there are shorter correlation lengths in precipitation occurrence. To gain insight into such hemispheric differences, the plan is to draw out factors controlling precipitation and cloud structure in cyclones applying compositing techniques in the South Pacific region. This project will advance discovery and understanding while at the same time promote teaching and learning by supporting directly a graduate student researcher, who will give local seminars on this research, as well as disseminate research results through conference presentations and peer-review publications.