A Multisatellite Investigation of the Convective Properties of Developing and Nondeveloping Tropical Disturbances

AbstractA comprehensive passive microwave satellite dataset is analyzed to quantify and compare the time evolution of convective properties of the pregenesis stage of developing disturbances (12 cases) and nondeveloping disturbances (3 cases), to determine whether the properties within the day prior to formation are unique, and to determine whether there is a credible connection between convection and the organization of the incipient circulation. Cases examined were the focus of recent (since 2005) field programs, and include those investigated during the triagency field programs in the Atlantic during 2010 [NASA’s Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) project, the National Science Foundation (NSF)/NCAR Pre-Depression Investigation of Cloud-Systems in the Tropics (PREDICT) program, and NOAA’s Intensity Forecasting Experiment (IFEX)]. Among the properties examined (raining area, intensity, areal coverage of “strong” and “intense” convection, frequency, and proximity to the disturbance center)...