Influence of atmospheric circulation patterns on local cloud and solar variability in Bergen,Norway

In a previous paper, we have shown that long-term cloud and solar observations (1965–2013) in Bergen, Norway (60.39°N, 5.33°E) are compatible with a largely cloud dominated radiative climate. Here, we explicitly address the relationship between the large scale circulation over Europe and local conditions in Bergen, identifying specific circulation shifts that have contributed to the observed cloud and solar variations. As a measure of synoptic weather patterns, we use the Grosswetterlagen (GWL), a daily classification of European weather for 1881–2013. Empirical models of cloud cover, cloud base, relative sunshine duration, and normalised global irradiance are constructed based on the GWL frequencies, extending the observational time series by more than 70 years. The GWL models successfully reproduce the observed increase in cloud cover and decrease in solar irradiance during the 1970s and 1980s. This cloud-induced dimming is traced to an increasing frequency of cyclonic and decreasing frequency of anticyclonic weather patterns over northern Europe. The changing circulation patterns in winter can be understood as a shift from the negative to the positive phase of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oscillation. A recent period of increasing solar irradiance is observed but not reproduce by the GWL models, suggesting this brightening is associated with factors other than large scale atmospheric circulation, possibly decreasing aerosol loads and local cloud shifts.     

The analysis of results of remote sensing monitoring of the temperature profile in lower atmosphere in Bergen (Norway)

Considered is the application of MTP-5 meteorological temperature profiler used for the remote sensing of vertical profiles of the air temperature in the planetary boundary layer and the lower one-kilometer layer of the atmosphere. The measurements were carried out in Bergen (Norway) in 2011–2012. The obtained dataset of temperature profiles has temporal resolution of five minutes and vertical resolution of 50 m. The MTP-5 data are complemented with the measurements of the air temperature and the wind taken at two automatic weather stations and with the measurements of the rain intensity made with the rain radar. Studied is the impact of meteorological conditions and precipitation on the MTP-5 readings. It is revealed that formation of a thin water film (of ice or, to a smaller degree, of sleet) on the surface of the sensor cover of MTP-5 has a significant impact on the data of the temperature monitoring. The removal of intensive precipitation (the precipitation rate is >0.2 mm/hour) improved the reliability and quality of the temperature profile monitoring. In particular, it is demonstrated that significant air pollution and stably stratified atmospheric conditions which lead to low temperatures are reliably monitored with this instrument.     

Analysis of cumulus solar irradiance reflectance (CSIR) events

Clouds are extremely important with regard to the transfer of solar radiation at Earth's surface. This study investigates Cumulus Solar Irradiance Reflection (CSIR) using ground-based pyranometers. CSIR events are short-term increases in solar radiation observed at the surface as a result of reflection off the sides of convective clouds. When Sun-cloud observer geometry is favorable, these occurrences produce characteristic spikes in the pyranometer traces and solar irradiance values may exceed expected clear-sky values. Ultraviolet CSIR events were investigated during the summer of 1995 using UVA and UVB pyranometers. Observed data were compared to clear-sky curves which were generated using a third degree polynomial best-fit line technique. Periods during which the observed data exceeded this clear-sky curve were identified as CSIR events. The magnitude of a CSIR event was determined by two different quantitative calculations. The MAC (magnitude above clear-sky) is an absolute measure of the difference between the observed and clear-sky irradiances. Maximum MAC values of 3.4 Win⁻² and 0.0169 Wm⁻² were observed at the UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, respectively. The second calculation determined the percentage above clear-sky (PAC) which indicated the relative magnitude of a CSIR event. Maximum UV-A and UV-B PAC magnitudes of 10.1% and 7.8%, respectively, were observed during the study. Also of interest was the duration of the CSIR events which is a function of Sun-cloud-sensor geometry and the speed of cloud propagation over the measuring site. In both the UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, significant CSIR durations of up to 30 minutes were observed. C 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.     

Influence of the total atmospheric optical depth and cloud cover on solar irradiance components

Broadband solar irradiance data obtained in the spectral range 400–940 nm at Kwangju, South Korea from 1999–2000 have been analyzed to investigate the effects of cloud cover and atmospheric optical depth on solar radiation components. Results from measurements indicate that the percentage of direct and diffuse horizontal components of solar irradiance depend largely on total optical depth (TOD) and cloud cover. During summer and spring, the percentages of diffuse solar irradiance relative to the global irradiance were 5.0% and 4.9% as compared to 2.2% and 3.0% during winter and autumn. The diffuse solar irradiance is higher than the direct in spring and summer by 24.2%, and 40.6%, respectively, which may largely be attributed to the attenuation (scattering) of radiation by heavy dust pollution and large cloud amount. In cloud-free conditions with cloud cover ≤2/10, the fraction of the direct and diffuse components were 66.0% and 34.0%, respectively, with a mean daily global irradiance value of 7.92±2.91 MJ m⁻² day⁻¹. However, under cloudy conditions (with cloud cover ≥8/10), the diffuse and direct fractions were 97.9% and 2.2% of the global component, respectively. The annual mean TOD under cloudless conditions (cloud cover≤2/10) yields 0.74±0.33 and increased to as much as 3.15±0.67 under cloudy conditions with cloud amount ≥8/10. An empirical formula is derived for estimating the diffuse and direct components of horizontal solar irradiance by considering the total atmospheric optical depth (TOD). Results from statistical models are shown for the estimation of solar irradiance components as a function of TOD with sufficient accuracy as indicated by low standard error for each solar zenith angle (SZA).     

Anisotropic model for the diffuse biologically-effective irradiance of solar UV-radiation on inclined surfaces

Summary A model for biologically-effective ultraviolet radiation (UVR) of the sun is described, which allows the calculation of diffuse irradiance on inclined surfaces. A model is presented, for which isotropic scattered and reflected radiance are assumed. Using the horizon as a borderline between the upper and lower hemisphere, the scattering phenomena in the atmosphere for UVR are discussed. In contrast to models for other solar spectral ranges, the radiation field of UVR is close to isotropic. Only the horizon darkening by the long optical pathlengths was included in the model. This term was quantified by the UV albedo.Dedicated to O. Univ.-Prof. Dr. F. Steinhauser.With 1 Figure     

The influence of cloud cover index on the accuracy of solar irradiance model estimates

Summary Cloud cover index (CCI) obtained from satellite images contains information on cloud amount and their optical thickness. It is the chief climate data for the assessment of solar energy resources in most radiative transfer models, particularly for the model BRASIL-SR that is currently operational at CPTEC. The wide range of climate environments in Brazil turns CCI determination into a challenging activity and great effort has been directed to develop new methods and procedures to improve the accuracy of these estimations from satellite images (Martins 2001; Martins et al. 2003a; Ceballos et al. 2004). This work demonstrates the influence of CCI determination methods on estimates of surface solar irradiances obtained by the model BRASIL-SR comparing deviations among ground data and model results. Three techniques using visible and/or thermal infrared images of GOES-8 were employed to generate the CCI for input into the model BRASIL-SR. The ground-truth data was provided by the solar radiation station located at Caicó/PE, in Brazilian Northeast region, which is part of the UNEP/GEF project SWERA (Solar and Wind Energy Resources Assessment). Results have shown that the application of the bi-spectral techniques have reduced mean bias error up to 66% and root mean square error up to 50% when compared to the usual technique for CCI determination based on the straightforward determination of month-by-month extremes for maximum and minimum cloud states. Correspondence: Fernando R. Martins, Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE), P.O. Box 515, S?o José dos Campos, 12245-970 S?o Paulo, Brazil     

In situ measurements of optical properties at Tinfou (Morocco) during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment SAMUM 2006

In situ measurements of optical and physical properties of mineral dust were performed at the outskirts of the Saharan Desert in the framework of the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment part 1 (SAMUM-1). Goals of the field study were to achieve information on the extent and composition of the dust particle size distribution and the optical properties of dust at the ground. For the particle number size distribution, measured with a DMPS/APS, a size dependent dynamic shape factor was considered. The mean refractive index of the particles in this field study is  1.53–4.1 × 10⁻³ i   at 537 nm wavelength and  1.53–3.1 × 10⁻³ i   at 637 nm wavelength derived from measurements of scattering and absorption coefficients, as well as the particle size distribution. Whereas the real part of the refractive index is rather constant, the imaginary part varies depending on the mineral dust concentrations. For high dust concentration the single scattering albedo is primarily influenced by iron oxide and is  0.96 ± 0.02  and  0.98 ± 0.01  at 537 nm and 637 nm wavelength, respectively. During low dust concentration the single scattering albedo is more influenced by a soot-type absorber and is  0.89 ± 0.02  and  0.93 ± 0.01  for the same wavelengths.     

Investigation about the dependence of spectral diffuse-to-direct-beam irradiance ratio on atmospheric turbidity and solar zenith angle

Summary The modifications of the solar spectral diffuse and direct-beam irradiances as well as the diffuse-to-direct-beam ratio, E_dλ/E_bλ, as a function of the aerosol optical depth, AOD, and solar zenith angle, SZA, is investigated. The E_dλ/E_bλ ratios decrease rapidly with wavelength and exponential curves in the form E_dλ/E_bλ = aλ^−b can be fitted with a great accuracy. These curves are strongly modified by the solar spectrum distribution, which is affected by the aerosol loading, aerosol optical properties and SZA. The spectral dependence of the above E_dλ/E_bλ ratios in logarithmic coordinates does not yield a straight line, while a significant departure from the linearity is revealed. The reasons for this departure are investigated in detail and it is established that the aerosol physical properties such as single scattering albedo and size distribution along with the effect of SZA are responsible. These parameters strongly affect the scattering processes in the atmosphere and as a consequence the diffuse spectral distribution. The E_dλ/E_bλ ratio, which is an indicator of the atmospheric transmittance (King, 1979), exhibits a strong wavelength and aerosol-loading dependence. The observed differences between turbid and clear atmospheres constitute a manifestation of contrasting air properties and influence solar irradiance spectra. The present work aims at investigating the effect of atmospheric turbidity and SZA on the E_dλ/E_bλ ratio. For this reason, two distinct cases are examined: one having different atmospheric turbidity conditions but same SZA and a second having different SZAs and same atmospheric turbidity levels.     

A method to calculate cloud-free long-wave irradiance at the surface based on radiative transfer modeling and temperature lapse rate estimates

We demonstrate a method to improve the performance of commonly used parameterizations to calculate the cloud-free down-welling long-wave radiation at the surface. The method uses a monthly climatology of the effective radiating temperature of the atmosphere instead of the instantaneous screen-level temperature. The climatology of the effective radiating temperature can be derived from pyrgeometer measurements and was incorporated into two commonly used schemes. We compared the calculated cloud-free down-welling long-wave irradiances to high-quality pyrgeometer measurements from four Swiss sites. The discrepancies between observations and modified schemes can be reduced by up to 35 %, resulting in a model uncertainty close to 5 W m^?2 which corresponds to the measurement uncertainty of pyrgeometers. Furthermore, we introduce a new long-wave model which is based on radiative transfer calculations in the 8–14- $\upmu $ m wavelength range. In the remaining long-wave spectrum, the radiation is calculated using the Planck function with the effective radiating temperature of the atmosphere. The performance of this new model is consistent with the modified parameterizations.     

风云二号卫星的冰云光学厚度反演偏差分析

冰云的微物理特性参数反演是云参数反演的难点和热点问题,目前风云二号(FY-2)卫星还没有相关的业务产品。考虑薄卷云覆盖在中低云上的两层云情况,采用六棱柱形状的冰云,在云相态识别基础上,利用FY-2 卫星观测数据,采用双通道算法反演冰云光学厚度。选取2013年8月的EOS/Terra和EOS/Aqua云参数产品对反演的FY-2云光学厚度精度进行比对分析。研究结果表明,联合FY-2的可见光通道和中波红外通道可反演冰云光学厚度。基于匹配得到的34个分析个例,FY-2反演的云光学厚度分布态势与EOS/ MODIS云产品相同,但FY-2云光学厚度反演值小于EOS/MODIS 云光学厚度产品值。FY-2 反演云光学厚度与EOS/MODIS云光学厚度产品的平均偏差为6.41,相关系数平均为0.92,线性拟合平均斜率为0.74。FY-2 与EOS/MODIS云光学厚度值偏差出现原因除了反演算法存在差异外,与反演所用数据的不同存在密切关系,基础观测数据越相近,FY-2 与EOS/MODIS云光学厚度反演结果的偏差越小。     

Trend analysis of long-term temperature time series in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

As the majority of the world’s population is living in urban environments, there is growing interest in studying local urban climates. In this paper, for the first time, the long-term trends (31–162 years) of temperature change have been analyzed for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Annual and seasonal time series for a number of urban, suburban, and rural weather stations are considered. Non-parametric statistical techniques such as Mann–Kendall test and Theil-Sen slope estimation are used primarily for the assessing of the significance and detection of trends, and the sequential Mann test is used to detect any abrupt climate change. Statistically significant trends for annual mean and minimum temperatures are detected for almost all stations in the GTA. Winter is found to be the most coherent season contributing substantially to the increase in annual minimum temperature. The analyses of the abrupt changes in temperature suggest that the beginning of the increasing trend in Toronto started after the 1920s and then continued to increase to the 1960s. For all stations, there is a significant increase of annual and seasonal (particularly winter) temperatures after the 1980s. In terms of the linkage between urbanization and spatiotemporal thermal patterns, significant linear trends in annual mean and minimum temperature are detected for the period of 1878–1978 for the urban station, Toronto, while for the rural counterparts, the trends are not significant. Also, for all stations in the GTA that are situated in all directions except south of Toronto, substantial temperature change is detected for the periods of 1970–2000 and 1989–2000. It is concluded that the urbanization in the GTA has significantly contributed to the increase of the annual mean temperatures during the past three decades. In addition to urbanization, the influence of local climate, topography, and larger scale warming are incorporated in the analysis of the trends.     

Daily and monthly averaged aerosol optical properties and diurnal variability deduced from AERONET sun-photometric measurements at Thala site (Tunisia)

Summary Spectral aerosol optical thickness have been measured at Thala site (central West of Tunisia) from March to October 2001. The measurement site is located in a continental and non industrialized region, approximately 150 km from the North coast of the Mediterranean Sea and nearby the Algerian border. Thala site could be then influenced by the dust content of the continental air masses carried by western and southern winds. A second pollution source is constituted by industrial and/or maritime particles carried by northern and eastern winds. AOT measurements acquired through the ground-based AERONET are analyzed. The diurnal cycle over Thala and two other areas within the network showed various trends and a prevailing pattern of the optical thickness increase by 10–40% during the day. Daily AOT and monthly averaged aerosol optical thickness, ?ngstr?m coefficient and precipitable water vapor are computed and compared with those of other sites. Measured meteorological parameters represent a valuable supplement to the data sets with the sunphotometer measurements. The analysis of the results shows that there is a high correlation between aerosol optical properties (AOT and ?ngstr?m coefficient) and the local weather conditions, essentially wind speed and direction and air specific humidity.     

北京地区地基辐射计与卫星云特性参数对比研究

利用2019年MODIS卫星数据、葵花-8卫星数据和天空辐射计观测数据分析北京城区云光学特性的时空分布特征。结果表明,北京地区的云光学厚度(Cloud optical depth,COD)和云滴有效半径(Cloud drop effective radius,CER)呈现明显的季节变化特征。北京地区COD主要分布特征为南部地区较高而北部地区较低,且夏季COD值明显高于其他季节,最高值为20左右。CER在春季和夏季呈现相反的区域分布特征,春季北京地区南低北高,夏季北京地区南高北低,而秋冬季CER明显低于春夏两季。通过将天空辐射计观测数据与卫星观测结果对比分析发现二者在COD方面一致性较高, r分别为0.69和0.66,MODIS对于CER数据的一致性较差,r值为0.053而葵花-8一致性较好r值为0.53。     

地面气象观测缺测记录替代方法的误差特征分析

以2014年南京、吕泗、淮安三个国家基准气候站的地面气象观测资料,统计分析了不同气象要素采用不同的记录替代方法时产生误差的特征。一般地,用自动站临近正点的分钟数据代替的方法要优于其它方法,越靠近正点的资料误差越小;备份站的资料同现用站相比,存在明显的系统误差,记录代替时宜作订正;为保证气象资料序列的均一性,建议在数据代替时,动态地选择误差较小的代替方法。     

Classification of the stratified atmospheric boundary layers at Molve (Croatia) based on the similarity theory

Summary The stability parameter μ is suggested as the one which is determinable with satisfying accuracy for routine application by means of commonly accessible meteorological data at the Molve location (Croatia). The similarity functions applied for vertical wind speed simulation in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) at Molve were useful for the determination of local stability classes. Universal similarity functions were applied for unstable and neutral stability, whereas local similarity functions were established for stable stratification. Wind speed simulations were performed using two types of wind models. The Monin-Obukhov similarity theory was included in both types. However, it turned out that for the operative determination of the stability of the 35 m deep lowest layer, the stability parameter μ was locally a better stability parameter than the Monin-Obukhov parameter z/L. That was possibly because 35 m deep lowest layer sometimes (depending upon stability) includes a large proportion of the Ekman layer and parameter μ is originally designed for the deeper part of PBL than z/L that is originally designed for the surface layer. At Molve, the input data for local wind models as well as for the stability parameter μ were wind speed at 35 m and temperature at 2 and 35 m above the ground.     

Balance of small watersheds from data on long-term experimental research at the Valdai Affiliation of the state hydrological institute (SHI)

Results of detecting water balance components of experimental watersheds from long-term observations at the Valdai Affiliation of the SHI are presented. Methods of measurements, calculations, and corrections of precipitation amount, measurement of evaporation from the land, changes in the soil moisture reserves and ground water reserves are considered. All components of the water balance of watersheds are measured independently which allows estimating quantitatively the residuals and measurement and calculation errors. A preliminary analysis is performed of seasonal values of the water balance components and their changes in the period of most intensive observations (1952–1985) which is of a great value for studying the conditions of the river runoff formation in small watersheds.     

环境与强对流(雹)云相互作用的个例模拟

基于北京2005年5月31日雹云个例数值模拟结果,分析了对流有效位能(CAPE)和水平风垂直切变(下称shear)等环境因素演变对对流活动的影响,并进一步分析了强对流云与局地环境之间的相互作用.长生命史的超级单体风暴需要shear和CAPE之间相互配合,一般用理查逊数(Ri=CAPE/shear)表示.本文给出了个例中这种配合的具体表现:当对流有效位能达到1000 J·kg-1时,小的垂直风切变产生一般单体对流,对应Ri数＞10,较强切变产生超级单体强对流,对应Ri数在1～5之间.环境影响对流形态,同时对流对局地环境也有明显影响:一般单体对流组成的飑线使其移动方向的局地环境shear增大,超级单体强对流随着其发展对环境shear的消耗明显,使得其周边几十甚至上百公里的环境shear明显减小.强对流活动区域局地环境shear的减小和CAPE的降低相配合,使R2数维持在1～5之间,有利于超级单体流型的维持.     

Multi-scale dynamical analysis (MSDA) of sea level records versus PDO,AMO, and NAO indexes

Herein I propose a multi-scale dynamical analysis to facilitate the physical interpretation of tide gauge records. The technique uses graphical diagrams. It is applied to six secular-long tide gauge records representative of the world oceans: Sydney, Pacific coast of Australia; Fremantle, Indian Ocean coast of Australia; New York City, Atlantic coast of USA; Honolulu, US state of Hawaii; San Diego, US state of California; and Venice, Mediterranean Sea, Italy. For comparison, an equivalent analysis is applied to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index and to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) index. Finally, a global reconstruction of sea level (Jevrejeva et al. in Geophys Res Lett 35:L08715, 2008) and a reconstruction of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index (Luterbacher et al. in Geophys Res Lett 26:2745–2748, 1999) are analyzed and compared: both sequences cover about three centuries from 1700 to 2000. The proposed methodology quickly highlights oscillations and teleconnections among the records at the decadal and multidecadal scales. At the secular time scales tide gauge records present relatively small (positive or negative) accelerations, as found in other studies (Houston and Dean in J Coast Res 27:409–417, 2011). On the contrary, from the decadal to the secular scales (up to 110-year intervals) the tide gauge accelerations oscillate significantly from positive to negative values mostly following the PDO, AMO and NAO oscillations. In particular, the influence of a large quasi 60–70 year natural oscillation is clearly demonstrated in these records. The multiscale dynamical evolutions of the rate and of the amplitude of the annual seasonal cycle of the chosen six tide gauge records are also studied.