ON THE USE OF SIRS DATA IN STRATOSPHERIC SYNOPTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The satellite infrared spectrometer aboard Nimbus 3 has provided a new source of temperature data and height data for the atmosphere. Problems of applying these data in synoptic stratospheric analysis are briefly reviewed. It is found that consistent summertime synoptic charts for the Northern Hemisphere (at 50, 30, and 10 mb) may be prepared using a 100-mb objective analysis as a base chart and thicknesses above 100 mb from SIRS retrievals. Some improvement is made possible by use of concurrent wind observations. It is noted that the SIRS observations have yielded a significant improvement in the data base for the stratosphere.