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Comparison of ECMWF Model and ARSCL Cloudiness at the ARM SGP site

Kollias, Pavlos RSMAS/University of Miami
Albrecht, Bruce University of Miami

The Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurements (ARM) Program operates a comprehensive suite of active remote sensors at Southern Great Plains (SGP) in Oklahoma since 1996 to detect all hydrometeors in the atmospheric column above. Due to its location, the ARM SGP site cloud and precipitation climatology it is believed to be representative of mid-latitudes. Long-term (6.5 years) observations from this ARM site are used to provide a cloud and precipitation climatology. A cloud classification scheme based on cloud base height, fractional coverage, cloud thickness, cloud reflectivity and precipitation detection at the ground is used to identify stratus, fair weather cumulus, altocumulus, cirrus and deep precipitating clouds. Compiled monthly statistics of cloud fractional coverage, cloud boundaries and thickness per cloud type are presented. A similar cloud and precipitation classification is applied to the European Center Medium-Range Weather Forecast model output at the grid box centered at the ARM SGP site for the same period. Special attention is given to the representation of boundary layer clouds in the model.

This poster will be displayed at the ARM Science Team Meeting.