Evaluation of AIRS Cloud Phase Classification over the Arctic Ocean against Combined CloudSat–CALIPSO Observations

AbstractCloud phase retrievals from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) are evaluated against combined CloudSat–CALIPSO (CCL) observations using four years of data (2007–10) over the Arctic Ocean. AIRS cloud phase is evaluated over sea ice and open ocean separately using collocated CCL and AIRS fields of view (FOVs). In addition, AIRS and CCL cloud phase occurrences are evaluated seasonally, zonally, and with respect to total column water vapor (TCWV) and the temperature difference between 1000 and 300 hPa (ΔT1000−300). Last, collocated MODIS cloud information is implemented in a 1-month case study to assess the relationship between AIRS and CCL phase decisions, cloud cover, and cloud phase throughout the AIRS FOV. Depending on the surface type, AIRS classification skill for single-layer ice and liquid-phase clouds is over the ranges of 85%–95% and 22%–32%, respectively. Most unknown and liquid AIRS phase classifications correspond to mixed-phase clouds. AIRS ice-phase relative occurrence is biased low relative to CCL. However, the liquid-phase relative occurrence is similar between the two instruments. When compared with the CCL climatology, AIRS accurately represents the seasonal cycle of liquid and ice cloud phase across the Arctic as well as the relationship between cloud phase and TCWV and ΔT1000−300 regime in some cases. The more heterogeneous the MODIS cloud macrophysical properties within an AIRS FOV are, the more likely it is that the AIRS FOV is classified as unknown phase.

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Simulation of Snow on Arctic Sea Ice Using a Coupled Snow–Ice Model

Journal of Hydrometeorology ◽

10.1175/2009jhm1112.1 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 199-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yi-Ching Chung ◽

Stéphane Bélair ◽

Jocelyn Mailhot

Keyword(s):

Sea Ice ◽

Arctic Ocean ◽

Snow Depth ◽

Single Layer ◽

Coupled System ◽

The Arctic ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

The Arctic Ocean ◽

Snow Model ◽

Ice Model

Abstract The new Recherche Prévision Numérique (NEW-RPN) model, a coupled system including a multilayer snow thermal model (SNTHERM) and the sea ice model currently used in the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) operational forecasting system, was evaluated in a one-dimensional mode using meteorological observations from the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA)’s Pittsburgh site in the Arctic Ocean collected during 1997/98. Two parameters simulated by NEW-RPN (i.e., snow depth and ice thickness) are compared with SHEBA’s observations and with simulations from RPN, MSC’s current coupled system (the same sea ice model and a single-layer snow model). Results show that NEW-RPN exhibits better agreement for the timing of snow depletion and for ice thickness. The profiles of snow thermal conductivity in NEW-RPN show considerable variability across the snow layers, but the mean value (0.39 W m−1 K−1) is within the range of reported observations for SHEBA. This value is larger than 0.31 W m−1 K−1, which is commonly used in single-layer snow models. Of particular interest in NEW-RPN’s simulation is the strong temperature stratification of the snowpack, which indicates that a multilayer snow model is needed in the SHEBA scenario. A sensitivity analysis indicates that snow compaction is also a crucial process for a realistic representation of the snowpack within the snow/sea ice system. NEW-RPN’s overestimation of snow depth may be related to other processes not included in the study, such as small-scale horizontal variability of snow depth and blowing snow processes.

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