SBIR-STTR Award

The problem addressed is the need to study the feasibility of implementing a standardized wet-globe temperature (wgbt) index data acquisition and retrieval network to support comprehensive computerized military operations worldwide. The establishment of a worldwide data collection network, most probably as a part of the existing world meteorological organization weather observing network, poses a myriad of problems in dealing with the international community. We propose an innovative solution to the problem using existing weather observational data and data now available from meteorological satellites.

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate that the components of the wbgi index (web bulb, dry bulb and black globe temperature) can be derived from satellite data. The work consisted of field observations (surface and upper air) taken at various locations (hot/dry, hot/ humid) to correspond with satellite passages. The sponsor provided additional wbgt data from other areas of the world. Satellite data coincident to field and sponsor provided data were obtained from nesdis. Satellite data were computer processed at scripps institute and compared with the in situ data. Algorithms were developed that related earth's surface skin temperature to the dry bulb temperature, and total precipitable water to the wet bulb temperature. Methodology is proposed for providing surface winds and improved albedo measurement from satellites as input to an existing usariem program for determining black globe temperature. Following are the results of the research: dry bulb temperature is linearly related, during daytime, to earth's skin temperature, available from satellite. Wet bulb temperature is correlated with the logarithmic of the total precipitable water available from satellites. An equation was derived for computation of surface winds from satellite or weather map data for use with the sponsors black globe temperture program.