This report is the verification and validation of the Satellite Marine-layer/Evaporation Duct Height (SMDH) technique under development by NAWC Point Mugu, California. The technique provides an estimate of the cloud-top height of stratocumulus clouds in the marine boundary layer for the area viewed by a polar orbiting weather satellite. The top of the marine boundary layer is the optimum coupling height for elevated ducts. Knowledge of the elevated duct height over the tactical battlespace is quite important. The SMDH technique is one component of a potential shipboard operational system to provide estimates of elevated duct height. The SMDH technique is verified using NOAA AVHRR satellite data and coincident rawinsonde or aircraft measurements from the 1987 FIRE and 1994 MAST data sets. The SMDH technique, which uses an empirical relationship to relate the satellite cloud-top temperature, sea-surface temperature and cloud-top height, is quite useful. There are advantages to using a physically-based model, rather than an empirical equation, to estimate cloud-top height. Some of these advantages are demonstrated using the Naval Postgraduate School’s physically-based model with the FIRE and MAST data sets. Conclusions/recommendations include (1) the automation of a cloud-top estimation technique is achievable and development should continue, (2) use a physically-based model, rather than an empirical equation, as the core component of the cloud-top height estimation process.

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command METOC Systems Program Office

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

N0003900WRDF232