Aspects of Hurricane Isabel #2771

#2771 Aspects of Hurricane Isabel by JVPD

Cloud-top radiance and height characteristics of Hurricane Isabel are depicted in these data products and animations from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR). Isabel was upgraded to hurricane status a few hours after the top image panels in this set were acquired on September 7, 2003. By the time the bottom panels were acquired on September 11,Isabel was a strengthening category 4 hurricane, centered about 900 kilometers east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. Along the left are radiance images from MISR's vertical-viewing (nadir)camera, at center are cloud-top height fields, and the right-hand panels provide retrieved local albedo values. The cloud-top heights are retrieved using automated stereoscopic processing of data from multiple MISR cameras, and are uncorrected at this stage for the effects of the exceptionally high winds associated with the hurricane's rotation. Albedo values are dependent upon the observed cloud radiances as a function of view angle and upon the cloud height field, and are well-represented here. Albedo is a function of the amount of sunlight reflected back to space divided by the amount of incident sunlight. Cloud height and albedo are among the principle variables governing the influences of clouds on climate. Areas where height and albedo could not be retrieved are shown in dark grey.

Photo Credit: NASA/GSFC/LaRC/JPL, MISR Team [0003-0701-0102-3116] by 0003