Changes in HIRS Detection of Cloud over Australia from 1985 to 2001

Helen Chedzey,W Paul Menzel,Mervyn Lynch

doi:10.3390/rs13050917

Helen Chedzey, W Paul Menzel + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13050917

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Abstract

A long-term archive of cloud properties (cloud top pressure, CTP; and cloud effective emissivity, ε) determined from High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) data is investigated for evidence of regional cloud cover change. In the 17 years between 1985 and 2001, different cloud types are analysed over the Australian region (10° S–45° S, 105° E–160° E) and areas of change in total cloud frequency examined. Total cloud frequency change over the Australian region between two adjacent eight-year time periods (1994 to 2001 minus 1985 to 1992) shows the largest increases (ranges between 6% and 12%) of average HIRS total cloud cover occurring over the offshore regions to the northwest and northeast of the continent. Over land, the largest reduction of average HIRS total cloud frequency is in the southwestern region of Australia (between 2% and 8%). Through central Australia, there is a 2% to 7% increase in average HIRS total cloud frequency when comparing these eight-year periods. This paper examines the regional cloud changes in 17 years over Australia that are embedded in global cloud statistics. Examining total HIRS cloud cover frequency over Australia and comparing two different eight-year time periods, has highlighted notable areas of average change. Preliminary reporting of satellite-derived HIRS cloud products and Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) rainfall products during La Niña seasons between 1985 and 2001 has also been undertaken.

Highlights

Since the first cloud-observing satellite was launched in 1959, numerous generations of satellites and instruments have contributed to the creation of large archives of physical and microphysical cloud data
A number of long-term cloud data archives exist within the Advanced Very HighResolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Pathfinder Atmospheres–Extended (PATMOS-x) program [1], the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) [2], and the University of Wisconsin/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (UW/NOAA)
This paper investigates what variability of High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) cloud cover occurs across regions of Australia and whether there are discernible trends in those regions that can be associated with rainfall change

Summary

Introduction

Since the first cloud-observing satellite was launched in 1959, numerous generations of satellites and instruments have contributed to the creation of large archives of physical and microphysical cloud data. A number of long-term cloud data archives exist within the Advanced Very HighResolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Pathfinder Atmospheres–Extended (PATMOS-x) program [1], the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) [2], and the University of Wisconsin/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (UW/NOAA). Pathfinder High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) data archive [3]. Along with AVHRR, ISCCP, and HIRS data, results from numerous other data sets such as MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), AIRS (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder), CALIPSO Pathfinder Satellite Observations), and CloudSat were reported.

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