Scaling and Variability of Global Storms

Abstract:

Storms are tracked continuously on the globe for a decade with high-resolution satellite observations, and their statistical and dynamical characteristics over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales are studied. With a Lagrangian tracking algorithm, the study yields detailed storm evolution and spatial distributions based on global, high-resolution (30-min, 4-km), satellite datasets. Statistical analysis and scaling studies are performed on the extensive storm database, and have produced new insight into the global storm system, such as (1) the spatial and temporal characteristics of global trajectories, (2) scaling properties, (3) the climatology and variability, and (4) life cycle evolution of storms. Our results documented the scaling of various storm properties, the seasonal storm climatology, variability, and the regional preferences for formation and dissipation. Additionally, we found that El Nino and La Nina impact storm tracks and properties. By continuously following storms, we examined their development over time. This is relevant to the measurement community because past studies have linked uncertainties in precipitation measurements to life cycle stage and overpass gaps. These results can be used to develop a baseline climatological state, improve retrieval algorithms, and examine extreme events.