An Integrated Algorithm for Retrieving Non-precipitating Stratus Cloud Microphysical Properties Using Millimeter Radar and Microwave Radiometer Data
Dong, X. and Mace, G.G., University of Utah
Eleventh Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Science Team Meeting
A new algorithm has been developed to retrieve the vertical profiles of cloud microphysical properties using the ground- based measurements of cloud radar, laser ceilometer, and microwave and solar radiometers. A relationship between effective radius and radar reflectivity has been found from approximately 25 hours of data at the ARM Sourthern great Plains site and 48 hours of data from the ARM North Slope of Alaska site. We show that the regression constants are essentially case and site independent. The regression fits have RMS errors of 0.852 and 0.936 um over a range of radar reflectivity from -60 to -10 dBZ at the ARM SGP and NSA sites, respectively. These new algorithms, combined with previously developed parameterizations, have been integrated into a single framework to provide the vertical profiles and layer-averaged values of stratus cloud microphysical and radiative properties for different conditions.
Note: This is the poster abstract presented at the meeting; an extended version was not provided by the author(s).


