HR: 09:00h
AN: A31D-05    [Abstracts]
TI: Using CALIPSO and MLS Data, Along With in Situ Isotope Measurements, to Constrain Simulations of TTL Transport, Cloud Formation, Dehydration
AU: * Jensen, E
EM: eric.j.jensen@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-4, Moffett Field, CA 90435, United States
AU: Pfister, L
EM: lpfister@mail.arc.nasa.gov
AF: NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-4, Moffett Field, CA 90435, United States
AB: Recent datasets produced by satellites and airborne science campaigns provide unprecedented, detailed information about clouds, water vapor, and water vapor isotopes in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). We now have, for the first time, data products that can adequately constrain detailed numerical simulations of TTL transport, water (condensed and vapor), and isotopes. We will use comparisons between observed and simulated cloud, water vapor, and isotope fields to address several outstanding science questions: Are high supersaturations in the TTL indicated by in situ measurements consistent with the cloud frequency and regional distribution indicated by CALIPSO? Is injection by deep convection an important source of TTL water and clouds (particularly above the cold point)? How do TTL vertical ascent rates (ranging from relatively slow ascent indicated by radiative transfer calculations to relatively rapid ascent indicated by CO2 tracer clock calculations) affect the comparison between simulated and observed TTL fields? How important are small-scale gravity waves for reproducing the regional cloud distributions in the TTL indicated by CALIPSO?
DE: 0300 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
DE: 0320 Cloud physics and chemistry
DE: 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting