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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.