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<br />- 84 - <br /> <br />3.8 It is important to note that the ADVISAR-type systems al low processing of cloud <br />physics data, aircraft and radar data, etc. These data are best combined with the satel lite <br />data for certain design, operational and evaluation tasks. The new systems use latest <br />m i croe I ectron i cs and m i n i -computer techno logy. The so lid state systems requ i;re very I i tt I e <br />maintenance. Computer programming software plays a key role in the efficienf use of the <br />new systems. <br /> <br />3.9 In view of the above, a weather modification proejct seeking to use ,the satel lites <br />to support its activities should plan the fol lowing: <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />a) Active collaboration with one of the large research groups in carrying out <br />satel I ite cloud cl imatology studies for experiment design <br /> <br />b) Similar collaboration on case studies for detai led science study and <br />evaluation <br /> <br />c) Basic training for its operational personnel on use of satel I ite imagery and <br />data collection platforms (e.g., a 3-month training course with periodic <br />refresher courses) <br /> <br />d) In-depth satel I ite training for at least one member of the science experiment <br />team (e.g., 2-year program at M.S. level or above at a university) <br /> <br />e) After trained personnel are avai lab Ie, obtain a mini-ADVISAR man-interactive <br />processing system for the operation site to be used in forecasting, debriefing <br />and for post-hoc experiment evaluation and research. <br /> <br />4. EXAMPLES OF SATELLITE CLOUD CLIMATOLOGIES <br /> <br />4. I The attention paid by PEP to site selection and experiment design is an indication <br />of the importance of these factors to the success of any weather modification program, <br />large or smal I. Data on natural cloud occurrence, size, type, growth rate, I ifetime etc. <br />can be studied by project scientists for a wide varity of appl ications. Satel I ites provide <br />the best data set for such analysis because (generally urban) weather station observations <br />rarely represent the site in question and because radar data are infrequently avai lable <br />over most potential experiment regions. In addition, the sate I I ite data can show the <br />cloud situation before large droplets yield a radar return thus providing import "first <br />puff" data on preferred formation regions, early interaction, etc. <br /> <br />4.2 Table I from Stodt and Grant [1976] shows another advantage of a satel lite cl ima- <br />tology, namely the abi I ity to view many candidate or actual sites in the same manner with <br />the ~ sensor. This greatly aids site intercomparison. <br /> <br />TABLE 1. Mean values for days with convective clouds, July 1974 <br /> <br />Average cloud cover, % <br />Average number of clouds per 1()' km' <br />Average size of cloud, km' <br /> <br /> Palmer Upper <br />Miles City, GoodIand, Big Spring, NE Lake South ' Arkansas <br />Mont.' Kans. Tex. Colorado. Divide Park River Valleyf <br />4.9 10.1 8.3 4.4 11.1 20.3 27.0 <br />4 6 9 8 7 18 19 <br />144.1 172.1 87.3 54.7 158.1 115.2 140.5 <br /> <br />· National Hail Research Experiment. <br />t Leadville and Buena Vista. <br />