Spatial Characteristics of Low Meteorological Visibility over Hongkong and Statistical Retrieval from Satellite Data

Based on twelve observational stations low meteorological visibility (LMV) data during November 2002 to April 2003, the spatial distribution of LMV over Hongkong area (113.8$^{\circ}$ E-114.4$^{\circ}$ E, 22.1$^{\circ}$ N-22.4$^{\circ}$ N) is studied, using a PCA method. Optical spectrum of NOAA-16 associated with LMV shows that the significant effect factors correlated with LMV in the leading mode are the difference or rate between the visible and near-IR channels and single visible channel. A successful retrieval of LMV is done and a regression equation with a multiple correlation coefficient of 0.67 is obtained.