Variability in AIRS‐retrieved cloud amount and thermodynamic phase over west versus east Antarctica influenced by the SAM | Zendy

Lubin Dan | Zendy; Kahn Brian H. | Zendy; Lazzara Matthew A. | Zendy; Rowe Penny | Zendy; Walden Von P. | Zendy

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Variability in AIRS‐retrieved cloud amount and thermodynamic phase over west versus east Antarctica influenced by the SAM

Author(s) -

Lubin Dan,

Kahn Brian H.,

Lazzara Matthew A.,

Rowe Penny,

Walden Von P.

Publication year - 2015

Publication title -

geophysical research letters

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007

H-Index - 273

eISSN - 1944-8007

pISSN - 0094-8276

DOI - 10.1002/2014gl062285

Subject(s) - atmospheric infrared sounder , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , plateau (mathematics) , climatology , cloud cover , cloud fraction , cloud top , cloud computing , geology , troposphere , mathematical analysis , mathematics , computer science , operating system

In a sample of summertime cloud retrievals from the NASA Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), a positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM) index polarity is associated with greater cloud frequency and larger effective cloud fraction over West Antarctica compared with a negative SAM index polarity. The opposite result appears over the high East Antarctic Plateau. Comparing AIRS‐retrieved cloud fraction with Antarctic Automatic Weather Station 2 m air temperature data, a positive and significant correlation is found over most of West Antarctica, signifying a longwave heating effect of clouds. Over East Antarctica correlations between Sun elevation and 2 m air temperature are strongest, consistent with lower cloud amount.

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