OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PRESSURE HEIGHT DATA FOR THE TROPICS

Abstract

A method for objectively analyzing the geopotential height field on a constant pressure surface using reported upper-air data is described. Special attention is given to the analysis in data sparse regions, in particular, the Tropics. Wind-height relationships are used to augment the reported data by extrapolation of the reported height values into the data voids. The augmented data are used in a least-squares process to generate a polynomial surface which is used as the initial guess in an iterative-correction routine. The resultant objective analysis is comparable to the subjective analysis produced by an experienced analyst. Comparative examples are presented in which the region of analysis encompasses the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and adjacent areas.