HR: 1330h
AN: A22A-1038    [PDF]
TI: Cirrus Cloud Optical, Microphysical and Radiative Properties Analyzed from CRYSTAL-FACE Measurements
AU: Haynes, J M
EM: haynes@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric Science, Fort Collins, CO 80523 United States
AU: Mitrescu, C
EM: cristian@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric Science, Fort Collins, CO 80523 United States
AU: * Stephens, G L
EM: stephens@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric Science, Fort Collins, CO 80523 United States
AB: An important goal of the CRYSTAL-FACE experiment was to derive the radiative budgets of tropical cirrus and determine the factors that affect these budgets. With this goal in mind, we have developed a method of retrieving cloud microphysical properties using combined observations from the airborne Cloud Radar System (CRS) and Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) operated during CRYSTAL-FACE. This retrieval improves upon more traditional optimal estimation retrieval methods developed by the authors and makes the method more robust and efficient. We apply this method to observations collected during the CRYSTAL-FACE experiment in July 2002. Vertical profiles of visible extinction coefficient, ice crystal diameter, number concentration, and ice water content are retrieved for a series of high and mid-level clouds, including anvils and synoptically forced cirrus, that were observed during multiple flights. These retrieved values are compared against in situ observations, where available, and other retrieval methods. The retrieved cloud properties provide a way of examining the relationships between cirrus microphysics and cirrus optical properties and serve as a basis for the estimation of radiative fluxes and heating rates within the cirrus clouds observed.
DE: 0320 Cloud physics and chemistry
DE: 3359 Radiative processes
DE: 3360 Remote sensing
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting