Abstract
Techniques for cloud liquid water retrieval over land are developed using data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager 85.5 GHz (3.5 mm) channels. To minimize the effect of surface emittance variability on the calculations, the surface emittance was estimated with the aid of surface skin temperature retrievals from the Visible Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer in geosynchronous orbit. The high sensitivity of the 85.5 GHz channels to cloud liquid water allows for the estimation of integrated cloud liquid water based on the microwave brightness temperature depression caused by attenuation and emission of microwave radiation at the colder ambient temperature of the cloud. The method assumes nonscattering radiative processes are dominant, therefore only nonprecipitating cloud liquid water is considered. Integrated cloud liquid water retrievals show good qualitative agreement with other available data sources. Numerical error sensitivity analysis show integrated cloud liquid water error estimates of 0.05–0.50 kg m−2 depending on the contrast of cloud over background.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call