Statistical Characteristics of Subtropical jet-Stream Features in Terms of MRIR Observations from Nimbus II

Abstract

A sample of 60 individual cases of southwesterly jet-stream maxima located over the continental United States during the Nimbus II period is studied in relation to the MRIR characteristics surrounding the jet. The analysis has been conducted primarily from a statistical point-of-view applied to the equivalent black-body temperature (TBB) patterns of channels 1, 2 and 4, and to hypsometric combinations of these TBB values representing layer-mean temperatures. It was found that certain grow features of the fields of convergence and divergence associated with the moisture distribution in certain quadrants surrounding the jet are consistently indicated in these patterns. A stepwise, multiple regression analysis for specification of the maximum wind speeds gives predictive skill in several channels, particularly in the 5?30 ? channel, indicating that baroclinic effects can be discerned by MRIR observations applied to suitably stratified data samples.