Cirrus Cloud Radiative and Microphysical Properties from Ground Observations and In Situ Measurements during FIRE 1991 and Their Application to Exhibit Problems in Cirrus Solar Radiative Transfer Modeling

Abstract. Retrievals of aerosol microphysical properties (effective radius, volume and surface-area concentrations) and aerosol optical properties (complex index of refraction and single-scattering albedo) were obtained from a hybrid multiwavelength lidar data set for the first time. In July 2011, in the Baltimore–Washington DC region, synergistic profiling of optical and microphysical properties of aerosols with both airborne (in situ and remote sensing) and ground-based remote sensing systems was performed during the first deployment of DISCOVER-AQ. The hybrid multiwavelength lidar data set combines ground-based elastic backscatter lidar measurements at 355 nm with airborne High-Spectral-Resolution Lidar (HSRL) measurements at 532 nm and elastic backscatter lidar measurements at 1064 nm that were obtained less than 5 km apart from each other. This was the first study in which optical and microphysical retrievals from lidar were obtained during the day and directly compared to AERONET and in situ measurements for 11 cases. Good agreement was observed between lidar and AERONET retrievals. Larger discrepancies were observed between lidar retrievals and in situ measurements obtained by the aircraft and aerosol hygroscopic effects are believed to be the main factor in such discrepancies.

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Dynamic Processes in Cirrus Clouds: Concepts and Models

Cirrus ◽

10.1093/oso/9780195130720.003.0022 ◽

2002 ◽

Author(s):

David O’C. Starr ◽

Markus Quante

Keyword(s):

Cirrus Clouds ◽

Radiative Properties ◽

Cirrus Cloud ◽

Early Model ◽

Minimum Requirement ◽

Microphysical Properties ◽

Cloud Properties ◽

Cloud Models ◽

New Concepts

Advancement in the understanding of cirrus clouds and their life cycle comes through symbiotic use of models, observations, and related concepts (fig. 18.1). Models of cirrus clouds represent an integration of our knowledge of cirrus cloud properties and processes. They provide a capacity to extend knowledge and enhance understanding in ways that complement existing observational capabilities. Models can be used to develop new theories, such as parameterizations, and focus science issues and observational requirements and developments. For example, early model results of Starr and Cox (1985a) and Starr (1987b) predicted that fine cellular structure (~lkm or less) would be found in the upper part of extended stratiform cirrus clouds. This prediction was confirmed when high-frequency sensors were deployed both for active remote sensing (Sassen et al. 1990a, 1995) and later for in-situ measurements (Quante and Brown 1992; Gultepe et al. 1995; Quante et al. 1996). Sampling rates of 10Hz, or better, are now accepted as a minimum requirement for resolving cirrus cloud internal structure and circulation where 1-Hz or coarser measurements were previously used. Similarly, discrepancies between observed cloud radiative properties and calculations (theory) based on corresponding in-situ observations of cloud microphysical properties (Sassen et al. 1990b) led to the development of improved observing capabilities for small ice crystals (Arnott et al. 1994; Miloshevich and Heymsfield 1997; Lawson et al. 1998). Such sensors are now regarded as part of the standard complement when doing in-situ microphysical measurements in cirrus. At the same time, observations are absolutely essential in developing and evaluating cloud models. No cloud modeler wants to apply a model or theory too far beyond the limits of what can be observationally confirmed, at least in gross terms. The third aspect of this triad is concepts. Although models and observations can lead to predictions or diagnosis of unexpected relationships, they are each limited by the concepts that were used in their design and/or implementation. In the end, new concepts arising from analogy to other phenomena and/or from synergistic integration of existing knowledge can lead to new understanding, new models, new instruments, and new sampling strategies (fig. 18.1). Chapter 17 focuses on observations of internal cloud circulation and structure.

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Ground-based Remote Sensing of Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus ◽

10.1093/oso/9780195130720.003.0012 ◽

2002 ◽

Author(s):

Kenneth Sassen ◽

Gerald Mace

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Multispectral Imaging ◽

Cirrus Clouds ◽

Radiative Energy ◽

Radiation Balance ◽

Cirrus Cloud ◽

Microphysical Properties ◽

Research Aircraft ◽

Cloud Modeling

Cirrus clouds have only recently been recognized as having a significant influence on weather and climate through their impact on the radiative energy budget of the atmosphere. In addition, the unique difficulties presented by the study of cirrus put them on the “back burner” of atmospheric research for much of the twentieth century. Foremost, because they inhabit the frigid upper troposphere, their inaccessibility has hampered intensive research. Other factors have included a lack of in situ instrumentation to effectively sample the clouds and environment, and basic uncertainties in the underlying physics of ice cloud formation, growth, and maintenance. Cloud systems that produced precipitation, severe weather, or hazards to aviation were deemed more worthy of research support until the mid- 1980s. Beginning at this time, however, major field research programs such as the First ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Program) Regional Experiment (FIRE; Cox et al. 1987), International Cirrus Experiment (ICE; Raschke et al. 1990), Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study (ECLIPS; Platt et al. 1994), and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program (Stokes and Schwartz 1994) have concentrated on cirrus cloud research, relying heavily on ground-based remote sensing observations combined with research aircraft. What has caused this change in research emphasis is an appreciation for the potentially significant role that cirrus play in maintaining the radiation balance of the earth-atmosphere system (Liou 1986). As climate change issues were treated more seriously, it was recognized that the effects, or feedbacks, of extensive high-level ice clouds in response to global warming could be pivotal. This fortunately came at a time when new generations of meteorological instrumentation were becoming available. Beginning in the early 1970s, major advancements were made in the fields of numerical cloud modeling and cloud measurements using aircraft probes, satellite multispectral imaging, and remote sensing with lidar, short-wavelength radar, and radiometers, all greatly facilitating cirrus research. Each of these experimental approaches have their advantages and drawbacks, and it should also be noted that a successful cloud modeling effort relies on field data for establishing boundary conditions and providing case studies for validation. Although the technologies created for in situ aircraft measurements can clearly provide unique knowledge of cirrus cloud thermodynamic and microphysical properties (Dowling and Radke 1990), available probes may suffer from limitations in their response to the wide range of cirrus particles and actually sample a rather small volume of cloud during any mission.

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Consistent Calibration of VIRR Reflective Solar Channels Onboard FY-3A, FY-3B, and FY-3C Using a Multisite Calibration Method

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs10091336 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1336 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ling Wang ◽

Xiuqing Hu ◽

Lin Chen ◽

Lingli He

Keyword(s):

Radiative Transfer ◽

Calibration Method ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Current Approach ◽

Automatic Calibration ◽

Vicarious Calibration ◽

Radiative Transfer Modeling ◽

Reflectance Data ◽

Calibration Coefficients

The FengYun-3 (FY-3) Visible Infrared Radiometer (VIRR), along with its predecessor, the Multispectral Visible Infrared Scanning Radiometer (MVISR), onboard the FY-1C and FY-1D, has collected continuous daily global observations for 18 years. Achieving accurate and consistent calibration for VIRR reflective solar bands (RSBs) has been challenging, as there is no onboard calibrator and the frequency of in situ vicarious calibration is limited. In this study, a new set of reflectance calibration coefficients were derived for RSBs of the FY-3A, FY-3B, and FY-3C VIRRs using a multisite (MST) calibration method. This method is an extension of a previous MST calibration method, which relies on radiative transfer modeling over the multiple stable earth sites, and no synchronous in situ measurements are needed; hence, it can be used to update the VIRR calibration on a daily basis. The on-orbit radiometric changes of the VIRR onboard the FY-3 series were assessed based on analyses of new sets of calibration slopes. Then, all recalibrated VIRR reflectance data over Libya 4, the most frequently used stable Earth site, were compared with those provided from the Level 1B (L1B) product. Additional validation was performed by comparing the recalibrated VIRR data with those derived from radiative transfer simulations using measurements from automatic calibration instruments in Dunhuang. The results indicate that the radiometric response changes of the VIRRs onboard FY-3A and FY-3B were larger than those of FY-3C VIRR and were wavelength dependent. The current approach can provide consistent VIRR reflectances across different FY-3 satellite platforms. After recalibration, differences in top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance data across different VIRRs during the whole lifetime decreased from 5–10% to less than 3%. The comparison with the automatic calibration method indicates that MST calibration shows good accuracy and lower temporal oscillations.

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In situ measurements of microphysical properties and trace gases in two cumulonimbus anvils over western Europe

Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres ◽

10.1029/1999jd900188 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 104 (D10) ◽

pp. 12221-12226 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Johan Ström ◽

Horst Fischer ◽

Jos Lelieveld ◽

Franz Schröder

Keyword(s):

Western Europe ◽

Trace Gases ◽

In Situ Measurements ◽

Microphysical Properties

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An Inverse Problem Approach for the Retrieval of Ice Particle Mass from In Situ Measurements

Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology ◽

10.1175/jtech-d-17-0013.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 34 (11) ◽

pp. 2457-2473 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pierre Coutris ◽

Delphine Leroy ◽

Emmanuel Fontaine ◽

Alfons Schwarzenboeck

Keyword(s):

Inverse Problem ◽

Particle Size ◽

Power Law ◽

In Situ Measurements ◽

Ice Cloud ◽

Size Dependent ◽

Microphysical Properties ◽

Ice Water Content ◽

Ice Water

AbstractMass–dimensional relationships have been published for decades to characterize the microphysical properties of ice cloud particles. Classical retrieval methods employ a simplifying assumption that restricts the form of the mass–dimensional relationship to a power law, an assumption that was proved inaccurate in recent studies. In this paper, a nonstandard approach that leverages optimal use of in situ measurements to remove the power-law constraint is presented. A model formulated as a linear system of equations relating ice particle mass to particle size distribution (PSD) and ice water content (IWC) is established, and the mass retrieval process consists of solving the inverse problem with numerical optimization algorithms. First, the method is applied to a synthetic crystal dataset in order to validate the selected algorithms and to tune the regularization strategy. Subsequently, the method is applied to in situ measurements collected during the High Altitude Ice Crystal–High Ice Water Content field campaigns. Preliminary results confirm the method is efficient at retrieving size-dependent masses from real data despite a significant amount of noise: the IWC values calculated from the retrieved masses are in good agreement with reference IWC measurements (errors on the order of 10%–15%). The possibility to retrieve ice particle size–dependent masses combined with the flexibility left for sorting datasets as a function of parameters such as cloud temperature, cloud type, or convective index makes this approach well suited for studying ice cloud microphysical properties.

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Freezing thresholds and cirrus cloud formation mechanisms inferred from in situ measurements of relative humidity

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-3-1791-2003 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

pp. 1791-1806 ◽

Cited By ~ 108

Author(s):

W. Haag ◽

B. Kärcher ◽

J. Ström ◽

A. Minikin ◽

U. Lohmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Relative Humidity ◽

Large Scale ◽

Climate Model ◽

Global Climate Model ◽

In Situ Measurements ◽

Cirrus Clouds ◽

Formation Mechanisms ◽

Cirrus Cloud ◽

Homogeneous Freezing

Abstract. Factors controlling the microphysical link between distributions of relative humidity above ice saturation in the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere and cirrus clouds are examined with the help of microphysical trajectory simulations. Our findings are related to results from aircraft measurements and global model studies. We suggest that the relative humidities at which ice crystals form in the atmosphere can be inferred from in situ measurements of water vapor and temperature close to, but outside of, cirrus clouds. The comparison with concomitant measurements performed inside cirrus clouds provides a clue to freezing mechanisms active in cirrus. The analysis of field data taken at northern and southern midlatitudes in fall 2000 reveals distinct differences in cirrus cloud freezing thresholds. Homogeneous freezing is found to be the most likely mechanism by which cirrus form at southern hemisphere midlatitudes. The results provide evidence for the existence of heterogeneous freezing in cirrus in parts of the polluted northern hemisphere, but do not suggest that cirrus clouds in this region form exclusively on heterogeneous ice nuclei, thereby emphasizing the crucial importance of homogeneous freezing. The key features of distributions of upper tropospheric relative humidity simulated by a global climate model are shown to be in general agreement with both, microphysical simulations and field observations, delineating a feasible method to include and validate ice supersaturation in other large-scale atmospheric models, in particular chemistry-transport and weather forecast models.

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Application of infrared remote sensing to constrain in-situ estimates of ice crystal particle size during SPartICus

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussions ◽

10.5194/amtd-4-3055-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 3055-3081

Author(s):

S. J. Cooper ◽

T. J. Garrett

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

In Situ Measurements ◽

Ice Crystals ◽

Cirrus Cloud ◽

Atmospheric Conditions ◽

Airborne Measurements ◽

Remote Sensing Technique ◽

Infrared Remote Sensing ◽

Retrieval Scheme

Abstract. In a prior paper (Cooper and Garrett, 2010), an infrared remote sensing technique was developed that quantifies the effective radius re of ice crystals in cirrus clouds. By accounting for a broad range of expected inversion uncertainties, this retrieval scheme isolates those radiometric signatures that can only occur if the cirrus has nominally "small" values of re below 20 μm. The method is applicable only for specific cloud and atmospheric conditions. However, it can be particularly useful in constraining in-situ estimates of cirrus cloud re obtained from aircraft. Recent studies suggest that airborne measurements may be compromised by the shattering of ice crystals on airborne instrument inlets, so robust, independent confirmation of these measurements is needed. Here, we expand the Cooper and Garrett (2010) retrieval scheme to identify ice clouds that are likely to have "large" values of re greater than 20 μm. Using MODIS observations, we then compare assessments of cirrus cloud re with in-situ measurements obtained during three test cases from the 2010 SpartICus campaign. In general, there is good agreement between retrievals and in-situ measurements for a "small" and "large" crystal case. For a more ambiguously "small" re case, the 2D-S cloud probe indicates values of re that are slightly larger than expected from infrared retrievals, possibly indicating a slight bias in the 2D-S results towards large particles. There is no evidence to support that an FSSP-100 with unmodified inlets produces measurements of re in cirrus that are strongly biased low, as has been claimed.

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