Global Changes in Boundary Layer Clouds and Estimation of Feedback Sensitivity Using the Multi-Decadal PATMOS-x AVHRR + HIRS Cloud Satellite Climatology
Abstract
Quantification of cloud climate feedback sensitivity has persisted as an issue for a number of reasons including the dualistic radiative nature of clouds (absorbing in the infrared while reflecting in the solar spectra), the inability of general circulation models to adequately parameterize sub-grid scale cloud processes, and the lack of long-term climate quality observational records by which to constrain general circulation models and explicitly derive feedbacks. It is this final point that we wish to address in this presentation. Global measurements from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) span from 1978 to present. We analyze over thirty-five years of the morphological and radiative properties of boundary layer clouds taken from the most recent version of NOAA's Pathfinder Atmospheres - Extended (PATMOS-x) AVHRR + HIRS cloud climatology. Emphasis is placed on identifying long-term changes (or lack thereof) in seasonal and geographic patterns of boundary layer cloudiness as well as producing an estimate of the cloud radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere for these clouds. Methods for addressing satellite drift and ancillary dependence on reanalysis products will be discussed, both of which can potentially affect the stability of the record and subsequently our ability to derive an accurate estimate of cloud feedback sensitivity.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFM.A42C..05F
- Keywords:
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- 3305 Climate change and variability;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSESDE: 3307 Boundary layer processes;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSESDE: 3310 Clouds and cloud feedbacks;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSESDE: 3311 Clouds and aerosols;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES