Gravity waves along the Coast of The Netherlands

This example from 16 July 1993 shows a group of atmospheric gravity waves off the coast of The Netherlands which may be associated with a frontal disturbance.

In this case, the surface analysis shows the front to the north-east of the image location. The image appears to contain the front, shown by the transition from the light region (high wind speed side of the front) to the dark region (low wind speed side of the front). The waves were apparently generated by the north-eastward propagating front, and were themselves propagating towards the north-east.

This profile illustrates the variation in radar backscatter associated with the surface wind perturbation of atmospheric gravity waves. The successive troughs are numbered and their wavelengths are estimated to be about 5 km. The position of the wind front apparent in the SAR image is annotated in the profile.

NERSC, Bergen, Norway

Keywords: ESA European Space Agency - Agence spatiale europeenne, observation de la terre, earth observation, satellite remote sensing, teledetection, geophysique, altimetrie, radar, chimique atmospherique, geophysics, altimetry, radar, atmospheric chemistry