Satellite cloud retrievals for ARM sites and field experiments

 
Poster PDF

Authors

Patrick Minnis — NASA - Langley Research Center
Rabindra Palikonda — Science Systems and Applications. Inc./NASA - LRC
Christopher Rogers Yost — Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
Michele Nordeen — Science Systems and Applications. Inc./NASA - LRC
Fu-Lung Chang — Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
Thad L. Chee — Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
Douglas A. Spangenberg — Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
Gang Hong — NASA
J Kirk Ayers — NASA - Langley Research Cntr/Science Systems and Application
Kris M Bedka — NASA
Mandana Khaiyer — Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI)

Category

Cloud Properties

Description

NASA Langley is regularly providing cloud properties and top-of-atmosphere broadband longwave and shortwave fluxes derived from satellite data over large areas for ARM and its associated field programs. Both geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite imager data are analyzed to detect clouds and retrieve their microphysical properties. The algorithms and satellite data used to produce the cloud and radiative products are often updated as new approaches and calibrations become available. This paper discusses the currently available data sets and recent improvements that have been implemented in the data processing. For example, new rough ice crystal scattering models are now employed in retrievals of ice cloud microphysical properties, cloud detection near the terminator has been improved with a new statistical method, new calibrations using the latest MODIS data have been brought into play, and a new GOES-West satellite has replaced GOES-11 with a slightly changed imager channel complement. All of these changes affect the retrieved properties. These and other changes are discussed using before-and-after examples. We have also been providing satellite support for many ARM field experiments. The resulting data sets and a few comparisons with ARM measurements are presented. Expected changes in future editions of the retrievals are also discussed.