The purpose of this paper is to resolve the differences among prior opinions of how clusters and superclusters form and move. Two different sets of TOGA COARE (the Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere Program Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment) warm pool infrared sa tellite images were ... Show moreThe purpose of this paper is to resolve the differences among prior opinions of how clusters and superclusters form and move. Two different sets of TOGA COARE (the Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere Program Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment) warm pool infrared sa tellite images were used to analyze the formation and motion. February 9, 1993, and February 22,1993 were the two days analyzed. Data shows that the superclusters on both days move north over time. There is no apparent pattern as to the formation, propaga tion, and decay of the individual clusters in the supercluster. Superclusters can grow to areas over 500,000 km2. Their velocities vary; however, the velocities seem to be at their greatest when the supercluster is growing. Wind within these super-clusters is generated by the storm itself. This wind aids in their movement and propagation. Future research should include the examination of other superclusters in this and other warm pool regions, and should cover supercluster wind, ocean-air interactions, and thunderstorm activity. Show less
