Open AccessCirrus layer microphysical properties derived from surface‐based millimeter radar and infrared interferometer data
Author(s) -
Mace Gerald G.,
Ackerman Thomas P.,
Minnis Patrick,
Young David F.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/98jd02117
Subject(s) - cirrus , remote sensing , radar , environmental science , satellite , instrumentation (computer programming) , meteorology , interferometry , physics , computer science , optics , geology , telecommunications , astronomy , operating system
Observational data regarding the properties of cirrus clouds are needed to aid in the development of accurate, physically based parameterizations in climate models. The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, is providing continuous observations of cirrus clouds with a suite of instrumentation at several locales. In this paper, we describe an algorithm to derive the microphysical properties of optically thin cirrus clouds. This algorithm uses radar reflectivity and infrared emission spectra from an interferometer and is tailored for the specific instruments at the ARM sites. We present in situ validation of the technique and examine a cirrus case study to illustrate the sensitivity of the algorithm. In the case study, solar fluxes calculated from the retrieved microphysical parameters are compared to observed fluxes to build confidence in the algorithm results. Comparison of the retrieved quantities to microphysical parameters retrieved from satellite data is also presented.