HR: 1340h
AN: A43B-0073    [Abstracts]
TI: Thermodynamic and Cloud Parameter Retrieval Using Advanced Hyperspectral Infrared Data and Validation
AU: * Zhou, D K
EM: daniel.k.zhou@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Langley Research Center, 21 Langley Blvd., Hampton, VA 23681 United States
AU: Liu, X
EM: xu.liu-1@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Langley Research Center, 21 Langley Blvd., Hampton, VA 23681 United States
AU: Larar, A M
EM: allen.m.larar@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Langley Research Center, 21 Langley Blvd., Hampton, VA 23681 United States
AU: Smith, W L
EM: bill.smith@hamptonu.edu
AF: Center for Atmospheric Sciences, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 23668 United States
AU: McGill, M J
EM: Matthew.J.McGill@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Bldg 33, Room B424, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AU: Mango, S A
EM: stephen.mango@noaa.gov
AF: NPOESS Integrated Program Office, 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1450, Silver Spring, MD 20910 United States
AB: A hybrid retrieval algorithm has been developed to derive atmospheric thermodynamic parameters and cloud microphysical and geometrical parameters (i.e., cloud optical depth, effective particle size, and cloud top altitude) simultaneously using nadir viewing hyper-spectral infrared data. A fast radiative transfer model, including cloud effects, is used for atmospheric profile and cloud parameter retrieval. This hybrid retrieval algorithm is combined with an iterative eigenvector-regression-retrieval and an iterative physical non-linear multiple-variable matrix-inversion. The retrieval accuracy dependence on cloud properties is discussed. Relatively accurate temperature and moisture retrievals can be achieved below optically thin clouds. For optically thick clouds, accurate temperature and moisture profiles down to cloud top level are obtained. For both optically thin and thick cloud situations, the cloud top height can be retrieved with an accuracy of approximately 1.0 km. NAST-I retrievals from the Atlantic-THORPEX Regional Campaign are compared with coincident observations obtained from dropsondes and the nadir-pointing Cloud Physics Lidar. This work could significantly contribute to the development of a realistic cloud handling procedure for contemporary and future sounding instruments such as the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer on the European METOP satellite, the Cross-track Infrared Sounder on the NPOESS Preparatory Project and the following NPOESS series of satellites, as well as the Hyperspectral Environmental Suite which is set to fly on the GOES-R satellite series.
DE: 0300 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
DE: 0320 Cloud physics and chemistry
DE: 0350 Pressure, density, and temperature
DE: 0394 Instruments and techniques
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005