The vertical structure of cloud occurrence and radiative forcing at the ARM central facilities

Description

Data collected at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility ground sites allow for the description of the atmospheric thermodynamic state, cloud occurrence, and cloud properties. This information allows for the derivation of estimates of the effects of clouds on the radiation budget of the surface and atmosphere. Using an updated analysis technique, 10 years of continuous data collected at the ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) Climate Research Facility are analyzed, as well as data collected at the Tropical Western Pacific and North Slope of Alaska sites. The influence of clouds on the radiative flux divergence of solar and infrared energy on annual, seasonal, and monthly time scales will be presented with an emphasis placed on comparisons and contrasts among the various locales.