How consistent is cloudiness over Canada from satellite observations and modeling data?
Abstract
Being one of the major modulators of radiation budget and hydrological cycle, clouds are still significant challenge for modeling and satellite retrievals. For example, our analysis shows that for Western Canada the systematic difference in total cloud amounts between NCAR/NCEP Reanalysis-2 and ISCCP reaches 20-30 per cent. Especially difficult are satellite retrievals for Northern climate regions over snow-covered surface and during night-time. To understand better these differences and their influence on earth radiation budget in Northern latitudes, we are attempting to undertake the re-analysis of satellite AVHRR data over Canada using improved data processing and cloud detection algorithms. Details of cloud detection algorithm for day-time and night-time conditions over snow-free and snow-covered surfaces are discussed. Selected results of satellite retrievals for typical summer and winter conditions over Canada are compared to previous analyses, such as ISCCP and Pathfinder projects. Consistency between our cloud retrievals using AVHRR data and those available from MODIS will be also considered.
- Publication:
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AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004AGUSMGC23A..06T
- Keywords:
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- 0360 Transmission and scattering of radiation;
- 1640 Remote sensing