First results of the A-Train mission observations (observations of deep convective clouds by
CloudSat and CALIPSO).
In a couple of years, weather satellites will celebrate their 50th anniversary in the orbit. During these five decades incredible progresses were made in sensor and spacecraft technology (space-time resolution, available spectral bands, data access and quality), while at the same time the number of applications benefiting or relying on satellite data has been steadily growing.
Convective storms were among the first targets of early meteorological satellites, at that time utilizing observations in one infrared window band and one visible band with very poor image quality by nowadays' standards. Today's thunderstorms are monitored by multispectral instruments whose new spectral bands potential has yet to be fully understood and exploited. Moreover, scientists have now the opportunity to study storm tops using active instruments - space borne lidars and radars - which allow for observing in great detail the microphysical and dynamic structure of storms.
The session will address topics related to various aspects of satellite (and airborne) observations of deep convective storms such as cloud top multispectral characteristics and morphology, satellite soundings of pre-storm environments, satellite-based techniques of storm activity monitoring. All of these topics will be covered having in mind the full range of passive radiometers, lidars and radars.
Suggested topics for the session are:
First results of the A-Train mission observations (observations of deep convective clouds by
CloudSat and CALIPSO).
Satellite-based observations and retrievals of cloud top microphysics and their possible link
to storm activity and severity.
Observations of storm top features in various spectral bands, their mutual links and possible
significance for storm severity monitoring.
Satellite-based observations of deep convection inducing cross-tropopause transport of humidity
and aerosols, and its modeling.
Operational satellite-based techniques and products for storm tracking and nowcasting.
Rainfall estimation techniques, and their validation.
Satellite-based lightning detection.
Synergy of various remote sensing means and their applications to severe convective storms
monitoring.
These are just a few outstanding topics, but papers on other related activities are cordially invited. Note that no devoted conference session on the observation of convective storm tops exists as such, this session represents a fine opportunity to present state-of-the-art activities and recent results.