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Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies / University of Wisconsin-Madison
CIMSS Tropical Cyclone Team
Atmospheric Motion Vectors (AMV) - Product Description

Atmospheric Motion Vector (AMV) Gridded Analysis
 
Background: Analyses are calculated utilizing gridded output from the auto editing process of the satellite atmospheric motion vector (AMV) fields. The AMV data are fit to a one degree grid at the following heights (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 600, 700, 775, 850, and 925 hPa), with data sparse regions at each height filled with numerical model output. Grids consist of u and v wind components.
 
The background model used is United States NOAA's GFS model.

 
Uses: The AMV Gridded Analysis fields can be used to calculate various atmospheric analysis products, such as atmospheric vorticity, convergence, and wind shear. These analyses products are essential for tropical cyclone (TC) forecasters in determining TC current intensity and short-term movement as well as future intensity trends and long-term TC position forecasts. Also, gridded AMV fields can be used in atmospheric models which require a gridded input field of measured atmospheric properties.
 
Notes:
UW-CIMSS currently maintains an extensive archive of all of our gridded analysis fields. Please contact the CIMSS Tropical Cyclone Team if you are interested in obtaining these analysis fields (Grid files or analysis plots) for your research needs.

 
For more AMV information, please visit the International Winds Working Group (IWWG) page.
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