Determination Of Wind From Nimbus 6 Satellite Sounding Data

Objective methods of computing upper-level and surface wind fields from Nimbus-6 satellite sounding data are developed. These methods are evaluated by comparing satellite-derived and rawinsonde wind fields on gridded constant-pressure charts in four geographical regions. Satellite-derived and hourly observed surface wind fields are compared. Results indicate that the best satellite-derived wind on constant-pressure charts is a geostrophic wind derived from highly smoothed fields of geopotential height. Satellite-derived winds computed in this manner and rawinsonde winds show similar circulation patterns except in areas of small height gradients. Magnitudes of the standard deviation of the differences between satellite-derived and rawinsonde wind speeds range from approximately 3 to 12 m/s on constant-pressure charts and peak at the jet-stream level. Fields of satellite-derived surface wind computed with the logarithmic wind law agree well with fields of observed surface wind in most regions. Magnitudes of the standard deviation of the difference in surface wind speed range from approximately 2 to 4 m/s, and satellite-derived surface winds are able to depict flow across a cold front and around a low-pressure center.

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Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and dis seminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) * at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the ac tivity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all concerned if the printing and distribution of the volume were handled by an international publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 24 (thesis year 1979) a total of 10,033 theses titles from 26 Canadian and 215 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for theses titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. While Volume 24 reports these submitted in 1979, on occasion, certain universities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.