Using ASCAT Wind and Other Data in Marine Forecasting

4.0 Forecast Future Conditions at a Projected Point » 4.2 Compare Model MSLP and Winds to Satellite Imagery

We are using the GFS model to help us analyze the Mean Sea Level Pressure (MSLP) and 10 m wind fields. We’ll compare them against the observations and predict the movement of the approaching cold front over the 24-hour forecast period beginning at 06 UTC on 23 November.

We have overlaid the GFS 10 m wind field on the airmass RGB image valid at 06 UTC on 23 November. (Use the slider to view the GFS 10 m winds on their own.) Notice how extensive the cloud band associated with the cold front is. The GFS wind fields shows that at 10 m (the surface), the cold front is actually positioned to the east and northeast of the western boundary of the cloud band. This is happening because the cloud band seen in the satellite image is actually the mid- and upper-level cloud associated with the mid- and upper-level trough systems accompanying the cold front.

beforeafter

When placing cold fronts using satellite imagery alone, it is important to keep the following points in mind:

  • Surface cold fronts are low-level systems that extend, on average, up to 700 hPa (10000 ft)
  • Not all cloud bands in the area of the suspected surface cold front are directly linked to the front itself