Novel Parameterization of Ice Cloud Effective Diameter from Collocated CALIOP-IIR and CloudSat Retrievals

Satellite-based measurements of global ice cloud microphysical properties are sampled to develop a novel set of physical parameterizations, relating to cloud layer temperature and effective diameter D-e, that can be implemented for two separate applications: in numerical weather prediction models and lidar-based cloud radiative forcing studies. Ice cloud optical properties (i.e., spectral scattering and absorption) are estimated based on the effective size and habit mixture of the cloud particles. Historically, the ice cloud D-e has been parameterized from aircraft in situ measurements. However, aircraft-based parameterizations are opportunistic in that they only represent specific types of clouds (e.g., convective anvil, tropopause-topped cirrus) in the regions in which they were sampled and, in some cases, are limited in fully resolving the entire vertical cloud layer. Breaking away from the aircraft-based parameterization paradigm, this study is the first of its kind to attempt a parameterization of D-e as a function of temperature, ice water content (IWC), and lidar-derived extinction from satellite-based global oceanic measurements of ice clouds. Data from both active and passive remote sensing sensors from two of NASA's A-Train satellites, CloudSat and CALIPSO, are collected to guide development of globally robust parameterizations of all ice cloud types and one exclusively for cirrus clouds. Significance StatementWe derived unique parameterizations of ice crystal effective size from global satellite measurements in an effort to more robustly and consistently represent ice clouds in numerical models for weather forecasting and climate energy balance studies. Based on our results, effective ice crystal size is easily solved based on temperature and visible cloud translucence. By knowing the size of the ice crystals, we can then estimate cloud scattering and absorption. In comparison with aircraft-based parameterizations, the satellite data reveal that ice crystal effective sizes are much smaller, on global average, for ice clouds occurring in relatively warm layers (>230 K), indicating that many ice clouds are more reflective than previously believed.

Automated summary

We developed a parameterization model for global ice cloud microphysical properties using satellite measurements, allowing for better representation of ice clouds in weather forecasting and climate energy balance studies. By knowing the size of the ice crystals, we can estimate cloud scattering and absorption.