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Assessment of Error in Synoptic-Scale Diagnostics Derived from Wind Profiler and Radiosonde Network DataA topic of current practical interest is the accurate characterization of the synoptic-scale atmospheric state from wind profiler and radiosonde network observations. We have examined several related and commonly applied objective analysis techniques for performing this characterization and considered their associated level of uncertainty both from a theoretical and a practical standpoint. A case study is presented where two wind profiler triangles with nearly identical centroids and no common vertices produced strikingly different results during a 43-h period. We conclude that the uncertainty in objectively analyzed quantities can easily be as large as the expected synoptic-scale signal. In order to quantify the statistical precision of the algorithms, we conducted a realistic observing system simulation experiment using output from a mesoscale model. A simple parameterization for estimating the uncertainty in horizontal gradient quantities in terms of known errors in the objectively analyzed wind components and temperature is developed from these results.
Document ID
19960021102
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mace, Gerald G. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA United States)
Ackerman, Thomas P. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1996
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-200891
NAS 1.26:200891
Accession Number
96N24577
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG1-1095
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG02-90ER-61071
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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