Satellite Cloud Research Articles

A Study of the Distribution and Variability of Cloud Water Using ISCCP, SSM/I Cloud Product, and Reanalysis Datasets

Abstract In this paper, the global distribution of cloud water based on International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim), and Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) datasets is presented, and the variability of cloud water from ISCCP, the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), ERA-Interim, and CFSR data over the time period of 1995 through 2009 is discussed. The results show noticeable differences in cloud water over land and over ocean, as well as latitudinal variations. Large values of cloud water are mainly distributed over the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, eastern ITCZ, regions off the west coast of the continents as well as tropical rain forest. Cloud water path (CWP), liquid water path (LWP), and ice water path (IWP) from these datasets show a relatively good agreement in distributions and zonal means. The results of trend analyzing show an increasing trend in CWP, and also a significant increasing trend of LWP can be found in the dataset of ISCCP, ERA-Interim, and CFSR over the ocean. Besides the long-term variation trend, rises of cloud water are found when temperature and water vapor exhibit a positive anomaly. EOF analyses are also applied to the anomalies of cloud water, the first dominate mode of CWP and IWP are similar, and a phase change can be found in the LWP time coefficient around 1999 in ISCCP and CFSR and around 2002 in ERA-Interim.

A comparison of multiscale variations of decade-long cloud fractions from six different platforms over the Southern Great Plains in the United States

This study compares 1997–2011 observationally based cloud fraction estimates from six different platforms (three ground-based estimates and three satellite-based estimates) over the Southern Great Plains, United States. The comparisons are performed at multiple temporal and spatial scales. The results show that 1997–2011 mean cloud fractions from the Active Remote Sensing of CLouds (ARSCL) and from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) are significantly (at a 2% significance level, two-sided t test) larger than the others, having 0.08 and 0.15 larger mean diurnal variations, 0.08 and 0.13 larger mean annual variations, and 0.08 and 0.14 larger interannual variations, respectively. Although more high (low) clouds are likely a reason for larger ARSCL (ISCCP) cloud fractions, other mechanisms cannot be ruled out and require further investigations. Furthermore, half of the estimates exhibit a significant (at a 1% significance level, one-sided t test) overall increase of 0.08–0.10 in the annually averaged cloud fractions from 1998 to 2009; another half of the estimates exhibit little tendency of increase in this decade. Monthly cloud fractions from all the estimates exhibit quasi-Gaussian frequency distributions while the distributions of daily cloud fractions are found dependent on spatial scales. Cloud fractions from all the estimates show much larger seasonal variations than diurnal variations. Findings from this study suggest caution when using observationally based cloud fraction estimates for climate studies such as evaluating model performance and reinforce the need of consistency in defining and retrieving cloud fractions.

How can we use MODIS land surface temperature to validate long-term urban model simulations?

High spatial resolution urban climate modeling is essential for understanding urban climatology and predicting the human health impacts under climate change. Satellite thermal remote-sensing data are potential observational sources for urban climate model validation with comparable spatial scales, temporal consistency, broad coverage, and long-term archives. However, sensor view angle, cloud distribution, and cloud-contaminated pixels can confound comparisons between satellite land surface temperature (LST) and modeled surface radiometric temperature. The impacts of sensor view angles on urban LST values are investigated and addressed. Three methods to minimize the confounding factors of clouds are proposed and evaluated using 10 years of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and simulations from the High-Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS) over Greater Houston, Texas, U.S. For the satellite cloud mask (SCM) method, prior to comparison, the cloud mask for each MODIS scene is applied to its concurrent HRLDAS simulation. For the max/min temperature (MMT) method, the 50 warmest days and coolest nights for each data set are selected and compared to avoid cloud impacts. For the high clear-sky fraction (HCF) method, only those MODIS scenes that have a high percentage of clear-sky pixels are compared. The SCM method is recommended for validation of long-term simulations because it provides the largest sample size as well as temporal consistency with the simulations. The MMT method is best for comparison at the extremes. And the HCF method gives the best absolute temperature comparison due to the spatial and temporal consistency between simulations and observations.

The role of tilted heating in the evolution of the MJO

There has been much discussion about the role of tilted heating in the evolution of the MJO. It is believed that the inability of many general circulation models to produce a robust MJO is directly related to deficiencies in the model-produced tropical heating distributions. Given the MJO's importance in tropical climate, we need to better understand what heating distributions are required in climate models to produce strong MJOs. This study addresses the role of tilted heating in the Community Atmospheric Model version 4 (CAM4). Idealized and observed heating distributions are added to the tropical atmosphere in CAM4. These include heating that tilts westward with height in the lower and upper atmosphere, as well as various tilted and untilted heating in the form of either idealized blobs or observations derived from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Precipitation Radar and the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project. We find that low-level heating ahead of the MJO convective center is critical for the initial strengthening and later maintenance of the MJO. However, tilted heating is not necessary to simulate a realistic MJO. In addition, excess upper level heating, whether tilted or not, appears to degrade the MJO signal, although Rossby wave modes are evident only in runs with additional upper level heating. Kelvin waves are evident during strong MJOs for all simulations but are only visible over the central Pacific. Results suggest that accurate shallow convective parameterizations may be more important than deep convective ones in the evolution of the MJO.

Evaluation of clouds and radiative fluxes in the EC-Earth general circulation model

Observations, mostly from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology (ISCCP), are used to assess clouds and radiative fluxes in the EC-Earth general circulation model, when forced by prescribed observed sea surface temperatures. An ISCCP instrument simulator is employed to consistently compare model outputs with satellite observations. The use of a satellite simulator is shown to be imperative for model evaluation. EC-Earth exhibits the largest cloud biases in the tropics. It generally underestimates the total cloud cover but overestimates the optically thick clouds, with the net result that clouds exert an overly strong cooling effect in the model. Every cloud type has its own source of bias. The magnitude of the cooling due to the shortwave cloud radiative effect ( $$\mid \hbox {SWCRE}\mid$$ ) is underestimated for the stratiform low-clouds, because the model simulates too few of them. In contrast, $$\mid \hbox {SWCRE}\mid$$ is overestimated for trade wind cumulus clouds, because in the model these are too thick. The clouds in the deep convection regions also lead to overestimate the $$\mid \hbox {SWCRE}\mid$$ . These clouds are generally too thick and there are too few mid and high thin clouds. These biases are consistent with the positive precipitation bias and the overly strong mass flux for deep convective plumes. Potential sources for the various cloud biases in the model are discussed.

Clouds in Weather and Climate: The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project at 30: What Do We Know and What Do We Still Need to Know?

Clouds in Weather and Climate: The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project at 30: What Do We Know and What Do We Still Need to Know?

A Lagrangian Analysis of Deep Convective Systems and Their Local Environmental Effects

Abstract Life cycles of deep convective raining systems are documented through use of a Lagrangian tracking algorithm applied to high-resolution Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH) rainfall data, permitting collocation with related environmental ancillary fields and the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud states (Rossow et al. 2005). System life cycles are described in terms of propagation speed, duration, and dominant cloud structures. Tracked systems are usually associated with the ISCCP weather state 1 (WS1) deep convection cloud state and an independent, microwave-based deep convective precipitation regime developed here. The distribution and characteristics of tracked systems are found to be similar between ocean basins in terms of system speed and duration, with westward-propagating systems predominant in every basin. The effects that these systems have on environmental parameters are assessed, stratified according to their average propagation speed and by ocean basin. Regardless of system speed the net effect on the environment is similar, with the largest difference being how quickly changes occur, with net surface radiation decreasing about 150 W m−2 and total precipitable water perturbed by 5–7 kg m−2; sea surface temperature (SST) drops 0.2°–0.3°C over 24 h, with system speed affecting how long SSTs remain depressed. The observed drop in SST is partly caused by the presence of widespread, optically thick clouds that greatly decrease the net surface radiative flux. Quick changes in SSTs caused by tracked systems are captured by buoys but not represented well in gridded SST products, as these regions remain largely under the precipitating cloud cover associated with these systems.

A statistical study of C IV regions in 20 Oe-stars

In this paper, using the Gauss-Rotation model (GR model), we analyse the UV C IV resonance lines in the spectra of 20 Oe-stars of different spectral subtypes, in order to detect the structure of C IV region. We study the presence and behavior of absorption clouds and analyse their characteristics. From this analysis we can calculate the values of a group of physical parameters, such as the apparent rotational and radial velocities, the random velocities of the thermal motions of the ions, the Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM), the optical depth, as well as the absorbed energy and the column density of the independent regions of matter, which produce the main and the satellite clouds of the studied spectral lines. Finally, we present the relations between these physical parameters and the spectral subtypes of the studied stars and we give our results about the structure of the C IV region in their atmosphere.

Seasonal variations of air-sea heat fluxes and sea surface temperature in the northwestern Pacific marginal seas

Using a net surface heat flux (Qnet) product obtained from the objectively analyzed air-sea fluxes (OAFlux) project and the international satellite cloud climatology project (ISCCP), and temperature from the simple ocean data assimilation (SODA), the seasonal variations of the air-sea heat fluxes in the northwestern Pacific marginal seas (NPMS) and their roles in sea surface temperature (SST) seasonality are studied. The seasonal variations of Qnet, which is generally determined by the seasonal cycle of latent heat flux (LH), are in response to the advection-induced changes of SST over the Kuroshio and its extension. Two dynamic regimes are identified in the NPMS: one is the area along the Kuroshio and its extension, and the other is the area outside the Kuroshio. The oceanic thermal advection dominates the variations of SST and hence the sea-air humidity plays a primary role and explains the maximum heat losing along the Kuroshio. The heat transported by the Kuroshio leads to a longer period of heat losing over the Kuroshio and its Extension. Positive anomaly of heat content corresponds with the maximum heat loss along the Kuroshio. The oceanic advection controls the variations of heat content and hence the surface heat flux. This study will help us understand the mechanism controlling variations of the coupled ocean-atmosphere system in the NPMS. In the Kuroshio region, the ocean current controls the ocean temperature along the main stream of the Kuroshio, and at the same time, forces the air-sea fluxes.

Observational and Model Estimates of Cloud Amount Feedback over the Indian and Pacific Oceans

AbstractConstraining intermodel spread in cloud feedback with observations is problematic because available cloud datasets are affected by spurious behavior in long-term variability. This problem is addressed by examining cloud amount in three independent ship-based [Extended Edited Cloud Reports Archive (EECRA)] and satellite-based [International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer Pathfinder Atmosphere–Extended (PATMOS-X)] observational datasets, and models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The three observational datasets show consistent cloud variability in the overlapping years of coverage (1984–2007). The long-term cloud amount change from 1954 to 2005 in ship-based observations shares many of the same features with the multimodel mean cloud amount change of 42 CMIP5 historical simulations, although the magnitude of the multimodel mean is smaller. The radiative impact of cloud changes is estimated by computing an observationally derived estimate of cloud amount feedback. The observational estimates of cloud amount feedback are statistically significant over four regions: the northeast Pacific subtropical stratocumulus region and equatorial western Pacific, where cloud amount feedback is found to be positive, and the southern central Pacific and western Indian Ocean, where cloud amount feedback is found to be negative. Multimodel mean cloud amount feedback is consistent in sign but smaller in magnitude than in observations over these four regions because models simulate weaker cloud changes. Individual models, however, can simulate cloud amount feedback of the same magnitude if not larger than observed. Focusing on the regions where models and observations agree can lead to improved understanding of the mechanisms of cloud amount changes and associated radiative impact.

MLS and CALIOP Cloud Ice Measurements in the Upper Troposphere: A Constraint from Microwave on Cloud Microphysics

AbstractThis study examines the consistency and microphysics assumptions among satellite ice water content (IWC) retrievals in the upper troposphere with collocated A-Train radiances from Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and lidar backscatters from Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP). For the cases in which IWC values are small (<10 mg m−3), the cloud ice retrievals are constrained by both MLS 240- and 640-GHz radiances and CALIOP 532-nm backscatter β532. From the observed relationships between MLS cloud-induced radiance Tcir and the CALIOP backscatter integrated γ532 along the MLS line of sight, an empirical linear relation between cloud ice and the lidar backscatter is found: IWC/β532 = 0.58 ± 0.11. This lidar cloud ice relation is required to satisfy the cloud ice emission signals simultaneously observed at microwave frequencies, in which ice permittivity is relatively well known. This empirical relationship also produces IWC values that agree well with the CALIOP, version 3.0, retrieval at values <10 mg m−3. Because the microphysics assumption is critical in satellite cloud ice retrievals, the agreement found in the IWC–β532 relationships increase fidelity of the assumptions used by the lidar and microwave techniques for upper-tropospheric clouds.

Reconstruction of compressed sensing for satellite cloud images using temporal-spatial correlation in the Tetrolet domain

Reconstruction of compressed sensing for satellite cloud images using temporal-spatial correlation in the Tetrolet domain

利用MODIS资料模拟计算水云大气红外辐射特性

The combined atmospheric radiative transfer model based on MODIS level2cloud products and atmospheric products was used to simulate brightness temperature at the top of atmosphere with water clouds at 8.55μm,11.03μm and 12.02μm bands.The brightness temperatures between model and MODIS observation at 8.55μm,11.03μm and 12.02μm bands were compared and analyzed.Results show that brightness temperature simulated by Combined Atmospheric Radiative Transfer model based on satellite cloud parameters,atmosphere parameters and space geometric parameters is basically consistent with MODIS observation.The brightness temperature difference between them is quite small.And brightness temperature difference between model and MODIS is mostly at the range of-10K~10K.Varieties of brightness temperature BTD(8.55~11.03μm)and BTD(11.03~12.02μm)of model were accordant with conditions under water clouds.

Characteristics of low clouds over the Arabian Sea

AbstractThis paper studies climatically important low clouds (with cloud top below 680 hPa) over the Arabian Sea using the Kalpana‐1 satellite data and International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project cloud data. Characteristics and possible mechanisms behind low‐cloud formation in the summer monsoon season are presented. The dominant lower tropospheric circulation over the Arabian Sea during the summer season is the monsoon low‐level jet (LLJ). Low clouds are predominantly found on the exit portion of the LLJ with decelerating winds. We postulate that the moisture carried by the LLJ from the entrance region with accelerating winds converge at the exit region with decelerating winds. This low‐level convergence (observed ~925 hPa level) may be conducive for moisture convergence, parcel uplifting, and low‐cloud formation. These clouds are unable to grow vertically due to the presence of lower tropospheric thermal inversion. Change in the spatial extent of low‐level convergence is found to influence the spatial coverage of the low clouds. It is found that low cloud cover is inversely related to the Indian summer monsoon activity. It is speculated that the changes in the strength of the lower tropospheric stability and spatial extent of convergence may be possible causes behind the observed inverse relation between low cloud cover and monsoon activity. Based on Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System data, we find that these low clouds exert a peak cooling of about −55 Wm−2.

Evaluation of the Hydrometeor Layers in the East and West Pacific within ISCCP Cloud-Top Pressure–Optical Depth Bins Using Merged CloudSat and CALIPSO Data

The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) provides a multidecadal and global description of cloud properties that are often grouped into joint histograms of column visible optical depth τ and effective cloud-top pressure Ptop. It has not been possible until recently to know the actual distributions of hydrometeor layers within the ISCCP Ptop–τ bins. Distributions of hydrometeor layers within the ISCCP Ptop–τ conditional probability space using measurements from the CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar and the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) lidar within two 40° × 40° regions in the eastern and western equatorial Pacific over a 2-yr period are examined. With the exception of thin cirrus and stratocumulus, the authors show that of the Ptop–τ types that are commonly analyzed, none of the types contain unique distributions of geometrically defined layer types but tend to be populated by diverse sets of hydrometeor layers whose bulk profile properties conspire to render specific radiative signatures when interpreted by two-channel visible and IR sensors from space. In comparing the geometric distribution of cloud layers for common Ptop–τ types, it is found that the ISCCP Cirrostratus, Deep Convection, and Stratocumulus types appear to have been drawn from a common geometric distribution of hydrometeor layers. The other six common ISCCP Ptop–τ types do not share this feature. The authors can confidently reject an assumption that even though they have common top-of-atmosphere radiative signatures, they do not appear to share a common distribution of cloud layers and therefore are likely to have significantly different radiative heating profiles and different surface radiative forcing even though their top-of-atmosphere radiative signatures are similar.

Cloud Response to the Meandering Kuroshio Extension Front

A unique set of observations on board research vessel (R/V) Mirai in April 2010 captured a striking cloud hole over a cold meander of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) east of Japan as corroborated by atmospheric soundings, ceilometer, shipboard radiation data, and satellite cloud images. Distinct differences were also observed between the warm meander farther to the north and warm water south of the KE. The atmosphere is highly unstable over the warm meander, promoting a well-mixed marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) and a layer of solid stratocumulus clouds capped by a strong inversion. Over the warm water south of the KE, MABL deepens and is decoupled from the ocean surface. Scattered cumulus clouds develop as captured by rapid variations in ceilometer-derived cloud base. The results show that the meandering KE front affects the entire MABL and the clouds. Such atmospheric response can potentially intensify the baroclinicity in the lower atmosphere.

Investigation of cosmic ray–cloud connections using MISR

Numerous empirical studies have analyzed International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project data and reached contradictory conclusions regarding the influence of solar‐modulated galactic cosmic rays on cloud fraction and cloud properties. The Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) instrument on the Terra satellite has been in continuous operation for 13 years and thus provides an independent (and previously unutilized) cloud data set to investigate purported solar‐cloud links. Furthermore, unlike many previous solar‐climate studies that report cloud fraction MISR measures albedo, which has clearer climatological relevance. Our long‐term analysis of MISR data finds no statistically significant correlations between cosmic rays and global albedo or globally averaged cloud height, and no evidence for any regional or lagged correlations. Moreover, epoch superposition analysis of Forbush decreases reveals no detectable albedo response to cosmic ray decreases, thereby placing an upper limit on the possible influence of cosmic ray variations on global albedo of 0.0029 per 5% decrease. The implications for recent global warming are discussed.

Global Weather States and Their Properties from Passive and Active Satellite Cloud Retrievals

Abstract In this study, the authors apply a clustering algorithm to International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud optical thickness–cloud top pressure histograms in order to derive weather states (WSs) for the global domain. The cloud property distribution within each WS is examined and the geographical variability of each WS is mapped. Once the global WSs are derived, a combination of CloudSat and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) vertical cloud structure retrievals is used to derive the vertical distribution of the cloud field within each WS. Finally, the dynamic environment and the radiative signature of the WSs are derived and their variability is examined. The cluster analysis produces a comprehensive description of global atmospheric conditions through the derivation of 11 WSs, each representing a distinct cloud structure characterized by the horizontal distribution of cloud optical depth and cloud top pressure. Matching those distinct WSs with cloud vertical profiles derived from CloudSat and CALIPSO retrievals shows that the ISCCP WSs exhibit unique distributions of vertical layering that correspond well to the horizontal structure of cloud properties. Matching the derived WSs with vertical velocity measurements shows a normal progression in dynamic regime when moving from the most convective to the least convective WS. Time trend analysis of the WSs shows a sharp increase of the fair-weather WS in the 1990s and a flattening of that increase in the 2000s. The fact that the fair-weather WS is the one with the lowest cloud radiative cooling capability implies that this behavior has contributed excess radiative warming to the global radiative budget during the 1990s.

Observational Evidence That Enhanced Subsidence Reduces Subtropical Marine Boundary Layer Cloudiness

Abstract Conventional wisdom suggests that subsidence favors the presence of marine stratus and stratocumulus because regions of enhanced boundary layer cloudiness are observed to climatologically co-occur with regions of enhanced subsidence. Here it is argued that the climatological positive correlation between subsidence and cloudiness is not the result of a direct physical mechanism connecting the two. Instead, it arises because enhanced subsidence is typically associated with stronger temperature inversions capping the marine boundary layer, and stronger temperature inversions favor greater cloudiness. Through statistical analysis of satellite cloud data and meteorological reanalyses for the subsidence regime over tropical (30°S–30°N) oceans, it is shown that enhanced subsidence promotes reduced cloudiness for the same value of inversion strength and that a stronger inversion favors greater cloudiness for the same value of subsidence. Using a simple conceptual model, it is argued that enhanced subsidence leads to reduced cloud thickness, liquid water path, and cloud fraction by pushing down the top of the marine boundary layer. Moreover, a stronger inversion reduces entrainment drying and warming, thus leading to a more humid boundary layer and greater cloud thickness, liquid water path, and cloud fraction. These two mechanisms typically oppose each other for geographical and seasonal cloud variability because enhanced subsidence is usually associated with stronger inversions. If global warming results in stronger inversions but weaker subsidence, the two mechanisms could both favor increased subtropical low-level cloudiness.

Cloud detection and analysis on the Tibetan Plateau using Meteosat and CloudSat

AbstractPrevious studies of clouds over the Tibetan Plateau (TiP) were subject to limitations. Surface observations are scarce, and satellite retrievals are not well adapted to the peculiar conditions of the TiP. For the most comprehensive existing cloud data set, provided by the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP), issues were reported for the TiP. It also lacks sufficient spatiotemporal resolution for this topographically complex region. With the Indian Ocean Data Coverage service, European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites provides a Meteosat data set between 1998 and 2008. The resolution of around 6 km at the study area is sufficient even for complex terrain. Based on this data set and on products of the active sensor onboard CloudSat, we develop a novel gross‐cloud retrieval for the TiP using logistic regression models. The approach maintains the original Meteosat resolution. Validation against independent CloudSat data reveals good performance. The approach also outperforms the ISCCP pixel level (DX) data set. The resulting data set is the first for the TiP that provides cloud information with sufficient resolution for both day and night. Patterns of cloud frequencies during winter, premonsoon, and monsoon seasons are analyzed. Strong diurnal forcing is found for the plateau. Peaks of cloud frequencies above the slopes occur during afternoon, while they are delayed in the valleys, where high cloud frequencies persist throughout the nights. Above the lower parts of the southern foothills of the Himalayas cloud frequencies were for the first time found to increase until the early morning. Katabatic flows are suspected to be responsible for this pattern by initiating the formation of mesoscale convective systems.