DOCSLIB.ORG

Enhanced-Resolution Processing and Applications of the ASCAT Scatterometer

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Enhanced-Resolution Processing and Applications of the ASCAT Scatterometer Enhanced-Resolution Processing and Applications of the ASCAT Scatterometer Richard D. Lindsley A dissertation submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy David G. Long, Chair Neal K. Bangerter Brian D. Jeffs Dah-Jye Lee Karl F. Warnick Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Brigham Young University December 2015 Copyright c 2015 Richard D. Lindsley All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Enhanced-Resolution Processing and Applications of the ASCAT Scatterometer Richard D. Lindsley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, BYU Doctor of Philosophy The ASCAT scatterometer measures the Earth surface microwave radar backscatter in order to estimate the near-surface winds over the oceans. While the spatial resolution of the conventional applications is sufficient for many purposes, other geoscience applications benefit from an improved spatial resolution. Specialized algorithms may be applied to the scatterometer data in order to reconstruct the radar backscatter on a high-resolution grid. Image reconstruction requires the spatial response function (SRF) of each measurement, which is not reported with the measurement data. To address this need, I precisely model the SRF incorporating (1) the antenna beam response, (2) the processing performed onboard ASCAT before telemetering to the ground, and (3) the Doppler shift induced by a satellite orbiting the rotating Earth. I also develop a simple parameterized model of the SRF to reduce computational complexity. The accuracy of both models is validated. Image reconstruction of the ASCAT data is performed using the modeled SRF. I discuss the spatial resolution of the reconstructed ASCAT images and consider the first- and second-order statistics of the reconstructed data. Optimum values for the parameters of the reconstruction algorithms are also considered. The reconstructed radar backscatter data may be used for enhanced-resolution wind retrieval and for geoscience applications. In this dissertation, the reconstructed backscatter data is used to map the surface extent of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and in a study to quantify the azimuth angle anisotropy of backscatter in East Antarctica. Near-coastal ocean wind retrieval is also explored in this dissertation. Because near- coastal ocean measurements of backscatter may be “contaminated” from nearby land and introduce errors to wind retrieval, they must be discarded. The modeled SRF is used to quantify the land contamination, enabling enhanced-resolution wind retrieval much closer to the coasts. The near-coastal winds are validated against buoy measurements. Keywords: ASCAT, scatterometer, spatial response function, wind retrieval, image recon- struction ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I thank my advisor, Dr. Long. Thank you for years of support, instruction, and guidance. I appreciate your feedback in directing and improving my research and writing, and I am happy you introduced me to the exciting fields of radar and remote sensing. I also thank my associates at EUMETSAT, especially Craig Anderson, Julia Figa- Saldaña, and Julian Wilson. Your technical expertise was critical in refining and correcting my research, and I enjoyed your warm hospitality during my stay in Darmstadt. Finally, I am most thankful to my wife, Whitney. Even though I was perpetually “almost done,” you’ve supported and encouraged me through many long hours and late nights. Table of Contents List of Tables . viii List of Figures . ix 1 Introduction . 1 1.1 Overview . 1 1.2 Summary of Results . 2 1.3 Outline . 4 2 Background . 6 2.1 Scatterometry . 6 2.2 ASCAT . 10 2.3 Backscatter Sampling and Reconstruction . 12 2.3.1 Gridding . 14 2.3.2 Full Reconstruction . 15 2.3.3 Partial Reconstruction . 16 2.4 Applications of Enhanced-Resolution Backscatter . 18 2.5 Contamination in Ocean Measurements . 19 2.5.1 Land Contamination . 19 2.5.2 Oil Contamination . 20 2.6 Summary . 21 iv 3 ASCAT Spatial Response Function . 23 3.1 Modeled SRF . 24 3.1.1 Antenna Beam Response . 24 3.1.2 Range-Doppler Processing . 24 3.1.3 Along-Track Pulse Averaging . 28 3.1.4 Cumulative Effect . 28 3.2 Parameterized Estimate . 29 3.3 SRF Validation . 36 3.4 Conclusion . 37 4 Enhanced Resolution Backscatter Reconstruction . 39 4.1 Spatial Resolution . 39 4.2 Reconstruction Parameters . 43 4.3 Reconstruction Results . 46 4.4 Reconstruction Statistics . 49 4.5 Spectral Analysis . 55 4.6 Conclusion . 60 5 Near-Coastal Enhanced-Resolution Wind Retrieval . 62 5.1 Ultra-High Resolution Winds . 62 5.2 ASCAT Land Fraction . 64 5.3 Land Contamination Removal . 65 5.4 Near-Coastal UHR Validation . 71 5.5 Summary . 79 6 Applications of Enhanced Resolution Backscatter Images . 81 v 6.1 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill . 81 6.1.1 Method . 82 6.1.2 Results . 85 6.1.3 Conclusion . 93 6.2 Azimuth Angle Modulation . 96 6.2.1 Backscatter Model . 97 6.2.2 Model Parameter Estimation . 98 6.2.3 Results and Discussion . 100 6.2.4 Conclusion . 108 7 Conclusion . 110 7.1 Summary . 110 7.2 Contributions . 111 7.3 Publications . 114 7.4 Future Research . 114 7.5 Final Remarks . 116 Bibliography . 117 A Background in Sampling and Reconstruction . 125 A.1 Sampling Theory for Scatterometers . 125 A.1.1 Regular Sampling and Reconstruction . 125 A.1.2 Irregular Sampling . 126 A.1.3 Aperture-Filtered Irregular Sampling . 127 A.1.4 Two-Dimensional Signals . 128 A.1.5 Discrete Signals . 128 vi A.1.6 Signal Bandlimit . 129 A.1.7 Aperture Bandlimit . 129 A.2 Block AART . 130 B ASCAT FFT Bin Response . 132 B.1 Rect Window Response . 132 B.2 ASCAT Onboard Processing . 135 B.3 Windowed FFT Bin Response . 135 B.4 Summary . 135 C Reconstruction Image Statistics . 139 C.1 Confidence Intervals . 140 C.2 Measurement Noise . 141 C.2.1 Predicted Values . 141 C.2.2 Sample Values . 143 C.2.3 Validation . 143 C.3 True Signal Uncertainty . 145 C.4 Signal and Noise Uncertainty . 146 C.4.1 Predicted Values . 146 C.4.2 Sample Values . 147 C.4.3 Validation . 148 C.5 Conclusion . 151 vii List of Tables 3.1 Discriminator frequency parameters for Eq. (3.1). 26 3.2 The parameters for a sample ASCAT measurement used for Fig. 3.4. 29 3.3 The angles β and ϕ for the six ASCAT beams. β is the angle between along- beam and along-track, and ϕ is the angle between along-track and northing. The angle φ is the azimuth angle reported in the L1B data. 31 4.1 The average δ and corresponding spatial resolution from Fig. 4.1 for equatorial (< 50◦) and for polar (> 55◦) latitudes. 43 5.1 LCR compass simulation input values, for a total of 10 × 8 × 10 × 7 = 5600 input combinations. 68 6.1 The estimated azimuth modulation magnitude and phase coefficients for the data shown in Fig. 6.11. The mk terms are in dB and the ϕk terms are in degrees. ..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Predictability of the Loop Current Variation and Eddy Shedding Process in the Gulf of Mexico Using an Artificial Neural Network Approach
    1098 JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY VOLUME 32 Predictability of the Loop Current Variation and Eddy Shedding Process in the Gulf of Mexico Using an Artificial Neural Network Approach XIANGMING ZENG,YIZHEN LI, AND RUOYING HE Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (Manuscript received 15 September 2014, in final form 8 January 2015) ABSTRACT A novel approach based on an artificial neural network was used to forecast sea surface height (SSH) in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in order to predict Loop Current variation and its eddy shedding process. The em- pirical orthogonal function analysis method was applied to decompose long-term satellite-observed SSH into spatial patterns (EOFs) and time-dependent principal components (PCs). The nonlinear autoregressive network was then developed to predict major PCs of the GoM SSH in the future. The prediction of SSH in the GoM was constructed by multiplying the EOFs and predicted PCs. Model sensitivity experiments were conducted to determine the optimal number of PCs. Validations against independent satellite observations indicate that the neural network–based model can reliably predict Loop Current variations and its eddy shedding process for a 4-week period. In some cases, an accurate forecast for 5–6 weeks is possible. 1. Introduction critical importance for both scientific research and so- cietal benefit. For example, in order to mitigate the ad- Originating at the Yucatan Channel and exiting verse impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, through the Florida Straits, the Loop Current (LC) is a intensive research on the LC and LC eddies was per- dominant circulation feature in the Gulf of Mexico formed during and after the incident (e.g., Liu et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society J Uly 2012
    Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society Bulletin of the American Meteorological >ŝďƌĂƌŝĞƐ͗WůĞĂƐĞĮůĞǁŝƚŚƚŚĞƵůůĞƟŶŽĨƚŚĞŵĞƌŝĐĂŶDĞƚĞŽƌŽůŽŐŝĐĂů^ŽĐŝĞƚLJ, Vol. 93, Issue 7 July 2012 July 93 Vol. 7 No. Supplement STATE OF THE CLIMATE IN 2011 Editors Jessica Blunden Derek S. Arndt Associate Editors Howard J. Diamond Martin O. Jeffries Ted A. Scambos A. Johannes Dolman Michele L. Newlin Wassila M. Thiaw Ryan L. Fogt James A. Renwick Peter W. Thorne Margarita C. Gregg Jacqueline A. Richter-Menge Scott J. Weaver Bradley D. Hall Ahira Sánchez-Lugo Kate M. Willett AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY Copies of this report can be downloaded from doi: 10.1175/2012BAMSStateoftheClimate.1 and http://www.ncdc.noaa. gov/bams-state-of-the-climate/ This report was printed on 85%–100% post-consumer recycled paper. Cover credits: Front: ©Jakob Dall Photography — Wajir, Kenya, July 2011 Back: ©Jonathan Wood/Getty Images — Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, January 2011 HOW TO CITE THIS DOCUMENT Citing the complete report: Blunden, J., and D. S. Arndt, Eds., 2012: State of the Climate in 2011. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 93 (7), S1–S264. Citing a chapter (example): Gregg, M. C., and M. L. Newlin, Eds., 2012: Global oceans [in “State of the Climate in 2011”]. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 93 (7), S57–S92. Citing a section (example): Johnson, G. C., and J. M. Lyman, 2012: [Global oceans] Sea surface salinity [in “State of the Climate in 2011”]. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 93 (7), S68–S69. EDITOR & AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS (ALPHABETICAL BY NAME) Achberger, C., Earth Sciences
    [Show full text]
  • CRIME Haunted Hammock Rental Agent Faces Moved to Nov
    In L’Attitudes Home again Artist Eric Carle’s endearing children’s book Juvenile loggerhead returns safely to sea characters come to life for Keys show. after five months rehabbing at Turtle Story, 3B. Hospital. Story, 8A. WWW.KEYSNET.COM SATURDAY,OCTOBER 29, 2011 VOLUME 58, NO. 87 ● 25 CENTS WINNING WAYS MARATHON Nix likely on sharing chief Roman Gastesi encouraged Marathon eyes Callahan to apply, saying 93 applicants he’s hoping the county fire chief can add Marathon to his for fire chief existing duties. Gastesi called it creating By RYAN McCARTHY “economies of scale” and [email protected] said he’s contacted Marathon City Manager Roger It appears the Marathon Hernstadt about the idea of City Council isn’t interested sharing Callahan. in sharing another fire chief. “I think it’s silly to have The city received 93 five fire chiefs in a communi- applications by the Oct. 21 ty of 73,000 people. I think deadline to replace William it’s a waste of money,” Wagner, who split chief Gastesi said. Key West and duties in Marathon and the Key Largo also have their Islamorada for three years. own chiefs. Among the eager applicants: Callahan said he feels he’s Monroe County Fire Chief capable of doing both jobs. Jim Callahan. County Administrator ● See Chief, 3A KEY WEST Police identify homicide victim ness told the Keynoter that Large rock Alvarado’s legs were visible believed to from the street and that the body was underneath a white be weapon truck parked in a driveway. Alvarado’s family in By RYAN McCARTHY Venezuela was notified of his [email protected] death Friday afternoon.
    [Show full text]
  • A Tale of Two Octobers: from Record Dry to Near-Record Wet October 2010 Driest on Record October 2011 4Th Wettest on Record
    November 2, 2011 CONTACT: Randy Smith South Florida Water Management District www.sfwmd.gov/news Office: (561) 682-2800 or Cellular: (561) 389-3386 A Tale of Two Octobers: From Record Dry to Near-Record Wet Drought in 2010 to deluge in 2011 highlights the challenges of water management in South Florida October 2010 October 2011 Driest on Record 4th Wettest on Record (Click on the graphics for a larger version.) West Palm Beach, FL — October 2011 ranks as the fourth-wettest October in 80 years of South Florida recordkeeping, bookending a 12-month period that began in 2010 with the driest October on record, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) reported today. As a result of three uncommon storms in one month, nearly 10 inches of rain was recorded District-wide for October, representing 6.2 inches above the average for this time of year. All areas from Orlando to the Florida Keys received above-average rainfall, with key regions such as the Kissimmee basins and Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 receiving a much-needed boost. In comparison, October 2005 saw a total of 7.98 inches of rain — including Hurricane Wilma. The storm left an average of 4.16 inches of rain across the District. October’s storms did significantly benefit Lake Okeechobee, a key backup water supply for millions of South Floridians. The lake stood at 13.60 feet NGVD on Wednesday, close to the same level as this time last year. Unlike last year, the lake is rising instead of falling. The current level is more than 2 feet higher than on September 30 but still below the historical average of 15.03 inches.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNUAL WEATHER SUMMARY Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2011*
    VOLUME 141 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW AUGUST 2013 ANNUAL WEATHER SUMMARY Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2011* LIXION A. AVILA AND STACY R. STEWART NOAA/NWS/NCEP/National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida (Manuscript received 25 July 2012, in final form 16 January 2013) ABSTRACT The 2011 Atlantic season was marked by above-average tropical cyclone activity with the formation of 19 tropical storms. Seven of the storms became hurricanes and four became major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale). The numbers of tropical storms and hurricanes were above the long-term averages of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Despite the high level of activity, Irene was the only hurricane to hit land in 2011, striking both the Bahamas and the United States. Other storms, however, affected the United States, eastern Canada, Central America, eastern Mexico, and the northeastern Caribbean Sea islands. The death toll from the 2011 Atlantic tropical cyclones is 80. National Hurricane Center mean official track forecast errors in 2011 were smaller than the previous 5-yr means at all forecast times except 120 h. In addition, the official track forecast errors set records for accuracy at the 24-, 36-, 2 48-, and 72-h forecast times. The mean intensity forecast errors in 2011 ranged from about 6 kt (;3ms 1)at 2 12 h to about 17 kt (;9ms 1) at 72 and 120 h. These errors were below the 5-yr means at all forecast times. 1. Introduction intervals for tropical (or subtropical) storms and hurri- canes], activity in 2011 was about 137% of the long-term Tropical cyclone activity during the 2011 Atlantic (1981–2010) median value of 92.4 3 104 kt2, the 11th season (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded 09/26/21 09:33 PM UTC 2578 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW VOLUME 141
    VOLUME 141 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW AUGUST 2013 ANNUAL WEATHER SUMMARY Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2011* LIXION A. AVILA AND STACY R. STEWART NOAA/NWS/NCEP/National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida (Manuscript received 25 July 2012, in final form 16 January 2013) ABSTRACT The 2011 Atlantic season was marked by above-average tropical cyclone activity with the formation of 19 tropical storms. Seven of the storms became hurricanes and four became major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale). The numbers of tropical storms and hurricanes were above the long-term averages of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Despite the high level of activity, Irene was the only hurricane to hit land in 2011, striking both the Bahamas and the United States. Other storms, however, affected the United States, eastern Canada, Central America, eastern Mexico, and the northeastern Caribbean Sea islands. The death toll from the 2011 Atlantic tropical cyclones is 80. National Hurricane Center mean official track forecast errors in 2011 were smaller than the previous 5-yr means at all forecast times except 120 h. In addition, the official track forecast errors set records for accuracy at the 24-, 36-, 2 48-, and 72-h forecast times. The mean intensity forecast errors in 2011 ranged from about 6 kt (;3ms 1)at 2 12 h to about 17 kt (;9ms 1) at 72 and 120 h. These errors were below the 5-yr means at all forecast times. 1. Introduction intervals for tropical (or subtropical) storms and hurri- canes], activity in 2011 was about 137% of the long-term Tropical cyclone activity during the 2011 Atlantic (1981–2010) median value of 92.4 3 104 kt2, the 11th season (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricane Season 2011 - Central America (As of 27 Oct 2011) Event Snapshot - Tropical Depression 12E and Hurricane Rina
    Hurricane Season 2011 - Central America (as of 27 Oct 2011) Event Snapshot - Tropical Depression 12E and Hurricane Rina EVENT SNAPSHOT 12 Oct: heavy rains affected Central 26 Oct America and Mexico. 25 Oct As of 27 Oct, weather conditions H have improved for rain-affected urri can 24 Oct Central American countries along BELIZE e MEXICO Petén R ina the Pacific Coast. Weather conditions are being monitored in the Atlantic Coast for Hurricane Rina. T D Alta Verapaz 1 2 EL SALVADOR E 10 Oct GUATEMALA Weather conditions have improved Guatemala HONDURAS and much of the population are returning home from emergency Tegucigalpa shelters. Caribbean Sea San Salvador GUATEMALA Valle Choluteca The number of people in shelters has dropped significantly. EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA Priority sectors are water, health, PACIFIC OCEAN Lago shelter and food. de Managua Petén and Alta Verapaz are still Managua the areas with the most problems identified. Lago de Affected area by Tropical Depression 12E Nicaragua HONDURAS Southern region (Choluteca and Potential affected area by Hurricane Rina COSTA RICA 50 km Valle) remain the most affected departments. Creation date: 27 Oct 2011 Glide number: TC-2011-000157-SLV EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS NICARAGUA Rain has already started in the Sources: OCHA, Redhum. Map sources: UNCS, UNISYS, GAUL. north-east due to Hurricane Rina. Feedback: [email protected] [email protected] Affected 300,000 550,762 69,798 133,858 Reference websites: www.reliefweb.int www.redhum.org NICARAGUA The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
    [Show full text]
  • Deputy Prime Minister Delivers Water Systems ! the Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, Hon
    Northern STAR - Tel:- 629-1308 & 636-1409-Email: [email protected] November 15, 2011 Page 1 No. 01 Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Price: $1.00 Deputy Prime Minister delivers water systems ! The Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. After ten years of the squandering of the Gasper Vega has been busy with the public purse by the last P.U.P business of government in general but has Administration no one would believe that not neglected his duty to his constituents the residents of huge communities who elected him. The promises he made to like Douglas \Nuevo San Juan, San Luis and his people while on the campaign trail San Roman did not have portable water in prior to the last General Elections are being their homes. This represents the ultimate realized physically by the residents of truth and proves that the past administration Orange Walk North. simply did not care for the People of Belize. Continue on Pg 4 Hon. Gaspar Vega THE NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE Vs. THE WEATHER CHANNEL GET WELL SOON! Last month the country was face to face with a monstrous category 2 hurricane named Rina. This storm was immediately off our coastline moving in a westward direction and in a path that seeminly placed Rina in a direct collision course with our country Belize. Belizeans sought information about the progress of Hurricane Rina from all authoritative sources. At home BELIZE’S FIRST LADY locally the majority of us paid keen Battles Breast Cancer attention to the regular weather See story on Pg 18 advisories issued by The National Wedding In Meteorological Service via N.E.M.O.
    [Show full text]
  • Tropical Storm Rolf Dávid Hérincs 7-9 November 2011
    MEDITERRANEAN TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT Written by: Tropical Storm Rolf Dávid Hérincs 7-9 November 2011 Image: EUMETSAT Rolf (named by Freie Universität - Berlin) formed on 4 November 2011 as an extratropical (mediterranean) cyclone. On 7 November, the cyclone lost its frontal characteristics, and transitioned into a subtropical, then a tropical cyclone. Rolf caused heavy rains in the coastal and mountainous area of Italy and France and produced hurricane-force wind gusts in the coastline. Tropical Storm Rolf 2 Synoptic history On 29 October, an extratropical low developed just east of North Carolina. The low profited the tropical moisture from Hurricane Rina that left over the northern Caribbean Sea and southern Gulf of Mexico, and spread to north in the cyclone’s warm sector. Thanks to this, the cyclone had a very strong and long lasting warm conveyor belt. The cyclone also injected very cold air itself from north, so it deepened very fast, as it travelled across the Atlantic Ocean. Early on 31 October, the central pressure fell under 980 hPa from the 1.5 day earlier 1005-1010 hPa.On 3 November, the cyclone approached the British Isles with central pressure between 960 and 965 hPa. The long cold front with the remaining tropical origin warm conveyor belt reached the Iberian Peninsula on 2 November, but the front slowed down, and became waving. Midday of 4 November, another extratropical (mediterranean) cyclone developed along the cold front over the eastern edge of the Iberian Peninsula. This cyclone got the name ‘Rolf’ from the Freie Universität (Berlin). According to the UK Met Office analysis, the initial central pressure of the low was 996 hPa, and this did not change so much on the next 2 days.
    [Show full text]
  • RA IV Hurricane Committee, Thirty-Fourth Session
    ｄｒ WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION RA IV HURRICANE COMMITTEE THIRTY-FOURTH SESSION PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, USA (11 to 15 April 2012) FINAL REPORT 1. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION At the kind invitation of the Government of the United States of America (USA), the thirty- fourth session of the Regional Association (RA) IV Hurricane Committee was held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA from 11 to 15 April 2012. The opening ceremony commenced at 09.00 hours on Wednesday, 11 April 2012. 1.1 Opening of the session 1.1.1 Mr Bill Read, Chairman of the RA IV Hurricane Committee, welcomed the members to Jacksonville for the thirty-fourth session of the Committee. He thanked them for their diligence in preparing for the important matters to be considered. Mr Read then welcomed Raytheon, who was displaying the new AWIPS II system currently being implemented by the US National Weather Service (NWS), and being considered for implementation for the National Meteorological Service of Mexico. Mr Read welcomed and thanked Sutron for their generous support of the meeting through sponsorship of the coffee breaks and welcome reception. Mr Read finished by expressing appreciation for the interpreters for the work they did to make our multiple language formats succeed. 1.1.2 On behalf of Mr Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mr Koji Kuroiwa, Chief of the Tropical Cyclone Programme (TCP), expressed the sincere appreciation of WMO to the Government of the United States for hosting the thirty-fourth session of the Committee. Mr Kuroiwa extended his gratitude to Dr Jack Hayes, Permanent Representative of the United States with WMO and his staff for the warm welcome and hospitality and for the excellent arrangements made to ensure the success of the session.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Lights Shine On
    Serving UNC students and the University community since 1893 Volume 119, Issue 97 dailytarheel.com Tuesday, October 25, 2011 About 100 campus crimes occurred within 200 feet of a blue light in 2010, yet the blue lights are only used 12 times per year. The Daily Tar Heel investigates the As the Nov. 28 trial approaches for a man charged in former SBP Eve Carson’s killing, student safety remains a pressing issue. Though rarely used, Alert BLUE LIGHTS SHINE ON Carolina By Jeanna Smialek ON-CAMPUS CRIME* decision City Editor (Incidents reported Eve Carson made safety at in 2010 within 200 feet of a call box) UNC a priority — and after she 0 - 2 was found shot to death near disputed campus in March 2008, the 3 - 7 topic faced even more scrutiny. As Laurence Alvin Lovette 8 - 12 A recent alleged rape on Jr. approaches a Nov. 28 trial on charges of Carson’s murder, 13 - 17 South Campus was not reported one of the former student body to the campus community. president’s major initiatives *Includes larceny, burglary — the expansion of blue light car theft, assault, and rape. call boxes off campus — has By Becky Bush been realized, and a Daily Tar Staff Writer Heel survey found the condi- A recent arrest for an alleged on-cam- tion of on-campus lights has pus rape has highlighted difficulties the improved. University faces when deciding whether it A 2008 survey of 71 should notify students of a crime. on-campus call boxes com- A man was arrested Oct.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricane Rina (AL182011) 23 – 28 October 2011
    Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rina (AL182011) 23 – 28 October 2011 Eric S. Blake National Hurricane Center 26 January 2012 (Updated to add acknowledgments) Rina was a typical October major hurricane that formed in the western Caribbean Sea and moved toward the Yucatan Peninsula. However, it weakened significantly prior to landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula as a tropical storm and it dissipated near the Yucatan Channel. a. Synoptic History A relatively low-latitude tropical wave left the coast of west Africa on 9 October with little convection, but interacted with an upper-level trough on 12 October in the central Atlantic Ocean, which caused a brief increase in thunderstorms. Convection then diminished until the wave moved through the Windward Islands four days later, with thunderstorms regenerating at that time due to a diffluent upper-level environment. On 19 October, the wave showed some signs of organization, but easterly shear was too strong for development. A cold front entered the northwestern Caribbean Sea on that day, and although it might have contributed some low- level vorticity to the system over the next couple of days, the wave appears to have been the main focus for genesis. Convection intensified near the wave axis on 21 October, which resulted in the formation of a nearly stationary broad low in the western Caribbean. The next day, surface observations indicated falling pressures in the area and a better-defined low-level circulation. Thunderstorms increased markedly near and to the west of the center later that day, and a tropical depression formed by 0600 UTC 23 October about 55 n mi north of Providencia Island, east of Nicaragua.
    [Show full text]