Location
Physics : 401
Date & Time
October 14, 2015, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Description
TITLE: Subtropical low cloud organization across thermodynamic and
dynamic states using NASA Aqua and MERRA observations
ABSTRACT: We will discuss the variability of cloud properties, temperature, water vapor, horizontal winds, and vertical velocity using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrievals and MERRA reanalysis data. All observational and reanalysis data are matched in time and space at the native instrument pixel resolution and MERRA grid resolution so that the variances and co-variances available are retained in composite analyses built from instantaneous data. We define cloud organization by the mean, variance, and skewness of visible reflectance and infrared radiance from the AIRS and MODIS instruments, as well as by the thermodynamic phase retrievals from AIRS. We focus this analysis on shallow marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds. We will show that the major stratus regimes have more fundamental differences in the statistical relationships between cloud, humidity, MBL depth, and cloud organization than implied by mean climatological values.
ABSTRACT: We will discuss the variability of cloud properties, temperature, water vapor, horizontal winds, and vertical velocity using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrievals and MERRA reanalysis data. All observational and reanalysis data are matched in time and space at the native instrument pixel resolution and MERRA grid resolution so that the variances and co-variances available are retained in composite analyses built from instantaneous data. We define cloud organization by the mean, variance, and skewness of visible reflectance and infrared radiance from the AIRS and MODIS instruments, as well as by the thermodynamic phase retrievals from AIRS. We focus this analysis on shallow marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds. We will show that the major stratus regimes have more fundamental differences in the statistical relationships between cloud, humidity, MBL depth, and cloud organization than implied by mean climatological values.