Using longwave HIRS radiances to test climate models

A ‘model-to-radiance’ comparison of simulated brightness temperatures from the Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model 2 with measurements from the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/4 (HIRS/4) instrument onboard the MetOp-A satellite is presented. For the all-sky, the model overestimates brightness temperatures in the atmospheric window region with the greatest biases over areas associated with deep convective cloud. In contrast to many global climate models, much smaller clear-sky biases are found indicating that model clouds are the dominating source of error. Simulated values in upper atmospheric CO₂ channels approximate observations better as a result of compensating cold biases at the poles and warm biases at lower latitudes, due to a poor representation of the Brewer Dobson circulation in the 38 level ‘low-top’ configuration of the model. Simulated all and clear-sky outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) evaluated against the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) and HIRS OLR products reveal good agreement, in part due to cancellation of positive and negative biases. Through physical arguments relating to the spectral energy balance within a cloud, it is suggested that broadband agreement could be the result of a balance between positive window biases and unseen negative biases originating from the water vapour rotational band in the far infrared (not sampled by HIRS).     

卷云对青藏高原的射出长波辐射影响的研究

本文叙述了一种求解卷云射出长波辐射的方法。通过建立卷云示迹模式,用累加法进行分析,并通过分析卷云的一些微物理特征,假设卷云含水量垂直分布模式,由三层近似化筒求得射出长波辐射通量密度。根据模式计算得到:1.与卫星观测青藏高原高云地区对应射出长波辐射通量密度基本一致的结果。2.卷云底高度及卷云厚度与射出长波辐射通量密度相关的一些有意义的结果,并讨论了青藏高原上卷云影响的特殊情况。     

Evaluation of cloud properties in the NOAA/NCEP global forecast system using multiple satellite products

Knowledge of cloud properties and their vertical structure is important for meteorological studies due to their impact on both the Earth’s radiation budget and adiabatic heating within the atmosphere. The objective of this study is to evaluate bulk cloud properties and vertical distribution simulated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast System (GFS) using three global satellite products. Cloud variables evaluated include the occurrence and fraction of clouds in up to three layers, cloud optical depth, liquid water path, and ice water path. Cloud vertical structure data are retrieved from both active (CloudSat/CALIPSO) and passive sensors and are subsequently compared with GFS model results. In general, the GFS model captures the spatial patterns of hydrometeors reasonably well and follows the general features seen in satellite measurements, but large discrepancies exist in low-level cloud properties. More boundary layer clouds over the interior continents were generated by the GFS model whereas satellite retrievals showed more low-level clouds over oceans. Although the frequencies of global multi-layer clouds from observations are similar to those from the model, latitudinal variations show discrepancies in terms of structure and pattern. The modeled cloud optical depth over storm track region and subtropical region is less than that from the passive sensor and is overestimated for deep convective clouds. The distributions of ice water path (IWP) agree better with satellite observations than do liquid water path (LWP) distributions. Discrepancies in LWP/IWP distributions between observations and the model are attributed to differences in cloud water mixing ratio and mean relative humidity fields, which are major control variables determining the formation of clouds.     

Climatology of cloud and radiation fields in a numerical weather prediction model

Summary Satellite-derived datasets are used to verify the cloud cover and radiation field generated by a T62 (horizontal resolution) version of the operational global model at the National Meteorological Centre (NMC). An ensemble of five day forecasts for July 1985 is used, as well as 30 day climatological forecasts for July 1985, October 1985, January 1986, and April 1986.Monthly averages of radiation fields are compared with Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) data. For the four months examined, clear-sky outgoing longwave radiation (clear-sky OLR) and absorbed shortwave radiation (clear-sky SW) tend to agree roughly with ERBE. Model global mean OLR, however, exceeds that of ERBE by 10 W m^–2.Comparison of effective cloud cover to corresponding fields cataloged by the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP C1) reveals deficiencies in the amount of supersaturation cloudiness and the vertical distribution of convective clouds. Large inaccuracies in model radiation fields are closely related to deficiencies in the cloud parameterization. An inventory of model cloudiness, in comparison to satellite data, is conducted.With 18 Figures     

The impact of geophysical parameters on longwave radiation budget at the top and base of the atmosphere

Summary The effect of clouds on longwave radiation budget at the top and base of the atmosphere is studied by using the HIRS2/MSU-retrieved temperature and humidity fields, and cloud fields and the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project-produced fields. Detailed studies are carried out at four selected sites: one at Equatorial Eastern Pacific (ITCZ) area, one at Libyan Desert (Libya), one at Ottawa, Montreal (Ottawa), and one at central Europe (Europe). The monthly mean differences in outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) (the ISCCP-based OLR minus the HIRS2-based OLR), ranging from –2.8 Wm^–2 at ITCZ to –15.4 Wm^–2 at Ottawa, are less than the monthly mean differences in surface downward flux, ranging from –2.7 Wm^–2 at Libya to 40.6 Wm^–2 at the ITCZ. The large differences in surface downward flux are mainly due to large differences in cloud amount and moisture in the low levels of the atmosphere.Monthly mean OLR and surface downward flux can be derived either (1) from instantaneous temperature, humidity, and cloud fields over a month period or (2) from monthly mean temperature, humidity, and cloud fields. The monthly mean OLR and surface downward flux derived from the first approach is compared with the second. The differences in OLR are small, ranging from –0.05 Wm^–2 to 6.2 Wm^–2, and the differences in surface downward flux is also small, ranging from 0.4 Wm^–2 to 6.4 Wm^–2.List of Acronyms AVHRR Advanced Very High Resolution radiometer - ERB Earth Radiation Budget - ERBE Earth Radiation Budget Experiment - FGGE First Global GARP Experiment - GARP Global Atmospheric Research Program - GCM General Circulation Model - GISS Goddard Institute for Space Studies - GLA Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres - GMS Geostationary Meteorological Satellite - GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - HIRS2 High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2 - ISCCP International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project - IR Infrared - MSU Microwave Sounding Unit - NFOV Narrow Field of View - NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NESDIS National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service - TOVS TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder With 4 Figures     

Vertical Structures of Convective and Stratiform Clouds in Boreal Summer over the Tibetan Plateau and Its Neighboring Regions

Cloud is essential in the atmosphere, condensing water vapor and generating strong convective or large-scale persistent precipitation. In this work, the relationships between cloud vertical macro- or microphysical properties, radiative heating rate, and precipitation for convective and stratiform clouds in boreal summer over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are analyzed and compared with its neighboring land and tropical oceans based on CloudSat/CALIPSO satellite measurements and TRMM precipitation data. The precipitation intensity caused by convective clouds is twofold stronger than that by stratiform clouds. The vertical macrophysics of both cloud types show similar features over the TP, with the region weakening the precipitation intensity and compressing the cloud vertical expansion and variation in cloud top height, but having an uplift effect on the average cloud top height. The vertical microphysics of both cloud types under conditions of no rain over the TP are characterized by lower-level ice water, ice particles with a relatively larger range of sizes, and a relatively lower occurrence of denser ice particles. The features are similar to other regions when precipitation enhances, but convective clouds gather denser and larger ice particles than stratiform clouds over the TP. The atmospheric shortwave (longwave) heating (cooling) rate strengthens with increased precipitation for both cloud types. The longwave cooling layer is thicker when the rainfall rate is less than 100 mm d^?1, but the net heating layer is typically compressed for the profiles of both cloud types over the TP. This study provides insights into the associations between clouds and precipitation, and an observational basis for improving the simulation of convective and stratiform clouds over the TP in climate models.     

An Algorithm for Detecting Ice Cloud at Different Altitudes by Combining Dual CrIS Full Spectrum Resolution CO2 Channels

Using infrared sensors to detect ice clouds in different atmospheric layers is still a challenge. The different scattering and absorption properties of longwave and shortwave infrared channels can be utilized to fulfill this purpose.In this study, the release of Suomi-NPP Cross-track Infrared Sounder(Cr IS) full spectrum resolution is used to select and pair channels from longwave(～ 15 μm) and shortwave(～4.3 μm) CO_2 absorption bands under stricter conditions, so as to better detect ice clouds. Besides, the differences of the weighting function peaks and cloud insensitive level altitudes of the paired channels are both within 50 h Pa so that the variances due to atmospheric conditions can be minimized. The training data of clear sky are determined by Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite(VIIRS) cloud mask product and used to find the linear relationship between the paired longwave and shortwave CO_2 absorption channels. From the linear relationship, the so-called cloud emission and scattering index(CESI) is derived to detect ice clouds. CESI clearly captures the center and the ice cloud features of the Super Typhoon Hato located above 415 h Pa. Moreover, the CESI distributions agree with cloud top pressure from the VIIRS in both daytime and nighttime in different atmospheric layers.     

中国地区云对地气系统长波射出辐射(OLR)强迫的气候研

本文利用地球辐射平衡试验(ERBE)和国际卫星云气候计划(ISCCP)提供的地气系统长波射出辐射(OLR)和云量资料，计算并讨论了我国各季和年平均云量对地气系统OLR的强迫及其所产生的温室效应。结果表明我国各季的OLR云强迫与总云量、高云量都有较好的相关，且季节变化明显；OLR云强迫和云温室效应的地理分布受云量和云状的影响较大，它们的年变化一般呈弱双峰型，峰值在春、夏季出现。     

A comparative study of the observations of high clouds and simulations by an atmospheric general circulation model

The importance of clouds in the upper troposphere (cirrus) for the sensitivity of the Earth's climate e.g., requires that these clouds be modeled accurately in general circulation model (GCM) studies of the atmosphere. Bearing in mind the lack of unambiguous quantitative information on the geographical distribution and properties of high clouds, the simulated distribution of upper tropospheric clouds in a spectral GCM is compared with several satellite-derived data-sets that pertain to high clouds only, for both winter and summer seasons. In the model, clouds are assumed to occupy an entire gridbox whenever the relative humidity exceeds 99%: otherwise the grid box is assumed to be free of cloud. Despite the simplicity of the cloud prediction scheme, the geographical distribution of the maxima in the model's upper tropospheric cloud cover coincides approximately with the regions of the observed maxima in the high cloud amount and their frequency of occurrence (e.g., intertropical convergence zone and the monsoon areas). These areas exhibit a minimum in the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR; Nimbus-7) and are also coincident with regions of heavy precipitation. The model, with its relatively simple cloud formation scheme, appears to capture the principal large-scale features of the tropical convective processes that are evident in the satellite and precipitation datasets, wherein the intense, upward motion is accompanied by condensation and the spreading of thick upper tropospheric layers of high relative humidity and cloudiness in the vicinity of the tropical rainbelt regions.This paper was presented at the International Conference on Modelling of Global Climate Change and Variability, held in Hamburg 11–15 September 1989 under the auspices of the Meteorological Institute of the University of Hamburg and the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. Guest Editor for these papers is Dr. L. Dümenil     

Diagnosis and testing of low-level cloud parameterizations for the NCEP/GFS model using satellite and ground-based measurements

The objective of this study is to investigate the quality of clouds simulated by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction global forecast system (GFS) model and to examine the causes for some systematic errors seen in the simulations through use of satellite and ground-based measurements. In general, clouds simulated by the GFS model had similar spatial patterns and seasonal trends as those retrieved from passive and active satellite sensors, but large systematic biases exist for certain cloud regimes especially underestimation of low-level marine stratocumulus clouds in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This led to the overestimation (underestimation) of outgoing longwave (shortwave) fluxes at the top-of-atmosphere. While temperature profiles from the GFS model were comparable to those obtained from different observational sources, the GFS model overestimated the relative humidity field in the upper and lower troposphere. The cloud condensed water mixing ratio, which is a key input variable in the current GFS cloud scheme, was largely underestimated due presumably to excessive removal of cloud condensate water through strong turbulent diffusion and/or an improper boundary layer scheme. To circumvent the problem associated with modeled cloud mixing ratios, we tested an alternative cloud parameterization scheme that requires inputs of atmospheric dynamic and thermodynamic variables. Much closer agreements were reached in cloud amounts, especially for marine stratocumulus clouds. We also evaluate the impact of cloud overlap on cloud fraction by applying a linear combination of maximum and random overlap assumptions with a de-correlation length determined from satellite products. Significantly better improvements were found for high-level clouds than for low-level clouds, due to differences in the dominant cloud geometry between these two distinct cloud types.     

中国地区云对地气系统长波射出辐射（OLR）强迫的气候研究

本文利用地球辐射平衡试验（ERBE）和国际卫星去气候计划（ISCCP）提供的地气系统长波射出辐射（OLR）和云量资料，计算半讲座了我国各季和年平均去量对地气系统OLR的强迫及其所产生的温室效应，结果表明：我国各季的OLR云强迫与总云量，高云量都有较好的相关，且季节变化明显；OLR云强迫和云温室效应的地理分布受云量和云状的影响较大，它们的年变化一般呈弱双峰型，峰值在春，夏季出现。     

CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF EARTH-ATMOSPHERE OUTGOING LONGWAVE RADIATION OVER CHINA*

ERBE and ISCCP data are used to investigate the cloud forcing and latitude and atmospheric temperature effects on outgoing longwave radiation(OLR) in the earth-atmosphere system,and the similarity of OLR field to 500 hPa and surface effective radiation fields.Also,discussion is taken up of the OLR distribution on a nationwide basis,indicating that the winter(summer) OLR pattern is roughly a zonal type(asymmetrical saddle) with the annual pattern analogous to the January one.In the end the yearly OLR variation features are addressed on a regional basis.     

CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF EARTH-ATMOSPHERE OUTGOING LONGWAVE RADIATION OVER CHINA

ERBE and ISCCP data are used to investigate the cloud forcing and latitude and atmospheric temperature effectson outgoing longwave radiation(OLR)in the earth-atmosphere system,and the similarity of OLR field to 500 hPa andsurface effective radiation fields.Also,discussion is taken up of the OLR distribution on a nationwide basis,indicatingthat the winter(summer)OLR pattern is roughly a zonal type(asymmetrical saddle)with the annual pattern analogousto the January one.In the end the yearly OLR variation features are addressed on a regional basis.     

应用CloudSat和Aqua卫星监测的暴雪过程中云的宏微观物理属性

采用CloudSat卫星资料2B-CLDCLASS及2B-CWC-RVOD数据集和Aqua卫星资料的CERES Aqua MODIS Edition 3A数据集,针对2010年12月2-4日北疆地区一次暴雪过程分析了云的类型分布、冰粒子等效半径、低层云等效高度等宏微观物理属性的垂直分布及空间分布情况。结果表明,此次暴雪过程中,云层分布在12km以下,云中冰粒子等效半径和冰水含量均随云层高度增加而减少,冰粒子数浓度在垂直高度上呈单峰分布,高值分布在云层中部5.5km处。北疆地区暴雪前和暴雪后基本为低层云云量小于40%的低值区,暴雪时则为大于60%的高值区,云等效高度暴雪前和暴雪后大多为小于6km值域区,暴雪时为大于6km的高值区。     

Sensitivity Study of Anthropogenic Aerosol Indirect Forcing through Cirrus Clouds with CAM5 Using Three Ice Nucleation Parameterizations

Quantifying the radiative forcing due to aerosol–cloud interactions especially through cirrus clouds remains challenging because of our limited understanding of aerosol and cloud processes. In this study, we investigate the anthropogenic aerosol indirect forcing (AIF) through cirrus clouds using the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) with a state-of-the-art treatment of ice nucleation. We adopt a new approach to isolate anthropogenic AIF through cirrus clouds in which ice nucleation parameterization is driven by prescribed pre-industrial (PI) and presentday (PD) aerosols, respectively. Sensitivities of anthropogenic ice AIF (i.e., anthropogenic AIF through cirrus clouds) to different ice nucleation parameterizations, homogeneous freezing occurrence, and uncertainties in the cloud microphysics scheme are investigated. Results of sensitivity experiments show that the change (PD minus PI) in global annual mean longwave cloud forcing (i.e., longwave anthropogenic ice AIF) ranges from 0.14 to 0.35 W m^–2, the change in global annual mean shortwave cloud forcing (i.e., shortwave anthropogenic ice AIF) from–0.47 to–0.20 W m^–2, and the change in net cloud forcing from–0.12 to 0.05 W m^–2. Our results suggest that different ice nucleation parameterizations are an important factor for the large uncertainty of anthropogenic ice AIF. Furthermore, improved understanding of the spatial and temporal occurrence characteristics of homogeneous freezing events and the mean states of cirrus cloud properties are also important for constraining anthropogenic ice AIF.     

中国地—气系统长波射出辐射（OLR）的气候特征

根据ERBE和ISCCP资料讨论了云对地—气系统长波射出辐射（OLR）的强迫作用及纬度、大气温度等因子的影响。分析了OLR场与500hPa及地表有效辐射场的相似问题。阐述了OLR在全国的分布特征，指出冬季OLR场大致呈纬向型．夏季为一不对称的鞍形场。年分布与1月的相似。最后还就各区域的OLR年变化特征进行了讨论．     

Main Detrainment Height of Deep Convection Systems over the Tibetan Plateau and Its Southern Slope

Deep convection systems (DCSs) can rapidly lift water vapor and other pollutants from the lower troposphere to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The main detrainment height determines the level to which the air parcel is lifted. We analyzed the main detrainment height over the Tibetan Plateau and its southern slope based on the CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar 2B_GEOPROF dataset and the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder Level 2 cloud ice product onboard the A-train constellation of Earth-observing satellites. It was found that the DCSs over the Tibetan Plateau and its southern slope have a higher main detrainment height (about 10?16 km) than other regions in the same latitude. The mean main detrainment heights are 12.9 and 13.3 km over the Tibetan Plateau and its southern slope, respectively. The cloud ice water path decreases by 16.8% after excluding the influences of DCSs, and the height with the maximum increase in cloud ice water content is located at 178 hPa (about 13 km). The main detrainment height and outflow horizontal range are higher and larger over the central and eastern Tibetan Plateau, the west of the southern slope, and the southeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau than that over the northwestern Tibetan Plateau. The main detrainment height and outflow horizontal range are lower and broader at nighttime than during daytime.     

A study of vertical cloud structure of the Indian summer monsoon using CloudSat data

Precise specification of the vertical distribution of cloud optical properties is important to reduce the uncertainty in quantifying the radiative impacts of clouds. The new global observations of vertical profiles of clouds from the CloudSat mission provide opportunities to describe cloud structures and to improve parameterization of clouds in the weather and climate prediction models. In this study, four years (2007–2010) of observations of vertical structure of clouds from the CloudSat cloud profiling radar have been used to document the mean vertical structure of clouds associated with the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and its intra-seasonal variability. Active and break monsoon spells associated with the intra-seasonal variability of ISM have been identified by an objective criterion. For the present analysis, we considered CloudSat derived column integrated cloud liquid and ice water, and vertically profiles of cloud liquid and ice water content. Over the South Asian monsoon region, deep convective clouds with large vertical extent (up to 14 km) and large values of cloud water and ice content are observed over the north Bay of Bengal. Deep clouds with large ice water content are also observed over north Arabian Sea and adjoining northwest India, along the west coast of India and the south equatorial Indian Ocean. The active monsoon spells are characterized by enhanced deep convection over the Bay of Bengal, west coast of India and northeast Arabian Sea and suppressed convection over the equatorial Indian Ocean. Over the Bay of Bengal, cloud liquid water content and ice water content is enhanced by ~90 and ~200 % respectively during the active spells. An interesting feature associated with the active spell is the vertical tilting structure of positive CLWC and CIWC anomalies over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, which suggests a pre-conditioning process for the northward propagation of the boreal summer intra-seasonal variability. It is also observed that during the break spells, clouds are not completely suppressed over central India. Instead, clouds with smaller vertical extent (3–5 km) are observed due to the presence of a heat low type of circulation. The present results will be useful for validating the vertical structure of clouds in weather and climate prediction models.     

Evaluation of Summer Monsoon Clouds over the Tibetan Plateau Simulated in the ACCESS Model Using Satellite Products

Cloud distribution characteristics over the Tibetan Plateau in the summer monsoon period simulated by the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator(ACCESS) model are evaluated using COSP [the CFMIP(Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project) Observation Simulator Package]. The results show that the ACCESS model simulates less cumulus cloud at atmospheric middle levels when compared with observations from CALIPSO and CloudSat, but more ice cloud at high levels and drizzle drops at low levels. The model also has seasonal biases after the onset of the summer monsoon in May. While observations show that the prevalent high cloud at 9–10 km in spring shifts downward to 7–9 km,the modeled maximum cloud fractions move upward to 12–15 km. The reason for this model deficiency is investigated by comparing model dynamical and thermodynamical fields with those of ERA-Interim. It is found that the lifting effect of the Tibetan Plateau in the ACCESS model is stronger than in ERA-Interim, which means that the vertical velocity in the ACCESS model is stronger and more water vapor is transported to the upper levels of the atmosphere, resulting in more high-level ice clouds and less middle-level cumulus cloud over the Tibetan Plateau. The modeled radiation fields and precipitation are also evaluated against the relevant satellite observations.     

双参数微物理方案的冰相过程模拟及冰核数浓度的影响试验

利用耦合Morrison 2-mon(MOR)双参数微物理方案的中尺度天气研究与预报模式(WRF)中的单气柱模式,对热带暖池国际云试验(TWP-ICE)期间的个例进行数值模拟。通过与观测资料和云分辨率模式的模拟结果进行对比,检验MOR方案对热带对流云系的微物理特征的模拟能力。模拟结果显示:MOR方案能够较好地模拟出热带云系中液相和冰相水凝物的垂直分布以及随时间的演变特征。地表向下长波辐射和大气顶向外长波辐射的量级和时间演变趋势同观测也非常接近。对与冰晶和雪有关的云微物理特征分析之后发现:季风活跃期,冰晶主要的源汇项有凝华增长过程、沉降过程、冰晶向雪的自动转化以及冰晶被雪碰并的过程。由于冰晶主体位于温度低于―20℃的高空,因而它对雨水的形成主要是间接贡献。同时期雪的主要源汇项中,凝华增长和沉降过程占据着主导地位。雪的凝华过程消耗了大量的水汽,可能抑制了冰晶的增长。另外雪的融化过程非常强盛,是产生降水的重要因子。季风抑制期,冰相的微物理过程变得相对简单且整体削弱,以凝华升华和沉降过程为主。凝华凝冻核的数浓度(N_dep)的气溶胶敏感性试验表明:季风抑制期,高空的冰晶云的宏观和微观性质对凝华凝冻核数浓度的响应情况呈现显著的线性特征。冰晶的含量随着N_dep的增加而增加,反之降低。该时期微物理过程主要同冰晶有关,水分的分配较为简单,N_dep增加时,高空冰云中小冰晶粒子数目增多且云顶升高,使得大气顶部向外长波辐射(OLR)值减小,反之冰云主体中冰晶有效半径增加,高空的冰云更加透明,云顶更低,对 OLR值增加起促进作用。而季风活跃期,微物理过程复杂,冰晶云的宏微观特征对N_dep的响应表现出一定的不规律特征。