The Dynamics of Polar Jet Streams as Depicted by the METEOSAT WV Channel Radiance Field

Abstract

A polar jet stream flowing over northern Europe is investigated using both the radiosounding network and the METEOSAT water vapor (WV) channel imagery. A maximum radiance band associated with the polar jet stream is shown to accurately delineate the tropopause break; a major difference in the subtropical jet stream radiative signature is noted, however. An analytic approximation of the radiative transfer equation is established for the METEOSAT WV channel and leads to the conclusion that the radiance field, away from the polar frontal zones, is representative of the temperature field on a water vapor isosteric surface.