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Name: Jay T.
Status: student
Age: 18
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 5/10/2004
Question:
How are fractals used in weather prediction?

Replies:
Jay,

Fractals are used in the study and prediction of cloud area (therefore cloud coverage) and precipitable water. Knowing cloud area is also important for determining solar and terrestrial radiation transfer through clouds, as opposed to cloud-free atmosphere.

Cloud area is proportional to cloud perimeter to the 1.48 power. The fractal dimension of the cloud perimeter is then

2/1.48 = 1.35

David R. Cook
Atmospheric Research Section
Environmental Research Division
Argonne National Laboratory

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