Comparison of GOES-retrieved and in situ measurements of deep convective anvil cloud microphysical properties during the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4)

Christopher R. Yost; Patrick Minnis; J. Kirk Ayers; Douglas A. Spangenberg; Andrew J. Heymsfield; Aaron Bansemer; Matthew J. McGill; Dennis L. Hlavka

doi:10.1029/2009JD013313

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Comparison of GOES-retrieved and in situ measurements of deep convective anvil cloud microphysical properties during the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4)

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Comparison of GOES-retrieved and in situ measurements of deep convective anvil cloud microphysical properties during the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4)

Christopher R. Yost, Patrick Minnis, J. Kirk Ayers, Douglas A. Spangenberg, Andrew J. Heymsfield, Aaron Bansemer, Matthew J. McGill and Dennis L. Hlavka

Journal of geophysical research. Atmospheres, Vol.115(D10), pp.1BBB-n/a

07/21/2010

DOI: 10.1029/2009JD013313

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Abstract

One of the main goals of the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4) during July and August 2007 was to gain a better understanding of the formation and life cycle of cirrus clouds in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and how their presence affects the exchange of water vapor between these layers. Additionally, it is important to compare in situ measurements taken by aircraft instruments with products derived from satellite observations and find a meaningful way to interpret the results. In this study, cloud properties derived using radiance measurements from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagers are compared to similar quantities from aircraft in situ observations and are examined for meaningful relationships. A new method using dual-angle satellite measurements is used to derive the ice water content (IWC) for the top portion of deep convective clouds and anvils. The results show the in situ and remotely sensed mean microphysical properties agree to within similar to 10 mu m in the top few kilometers of thick anvils despite the vastly different temporal and spatial resolutions of the aircraft and satellite instruments. Mean particle size and IWC are shown to increase with decreasing altitude in the top few kilometers of the cloud. Given these relationships, it may be possible to derive parameterizations for effective particle size and IWC as a function of altitude from satellite observations.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Comparison of GOES-retrieved and in situ measurements of deep convective anvil cloud microphysical properties during the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4)
Creators: Christopher R. Yost - Science Systems and Applications
Patrick Minnis - Langley Research Center
J. Kirk Ayers - Science Systems and Applications
Douglas A. Spangenberg - Science Systems and Applications
Andrew J. Heymsfield - National Center for Atmospheric Research
Aaron Bansemer - National Center for Atmospheric Research
Matthew J. McGill - Goddard Space Flight Center
Dennis L. Hlavka - Science Systems and Applications
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of geophysical research. Atmospheres, Vol.115(D10), pp.1BBB-n/a
Publisher: Amer Geophysical Union
DOI: 10.1029/2009JD013313
ISSN: 2169-897X
eISSN: 2169-8996
Number of pages: 14
Grant note: NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research DE-AI02-07ER64546 / Department of Energy; United States Department of Energy (DOE) NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
Language: English
Date published: 07/21/2010
Academic Unit: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984276450002771

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