A Study of Global Cirrus Optical and Microphysical Properties Based on an Efficient Infrared Retrieval Method

Abstract:

Current studies of global upper tropospheric cirrus clouds from satellite observations are focused on daytime, primarily due to dependence on solar reflectance in the retrieval technique. Here, utilizing an accurate and efficient infrared based retrieval technique, cirrus cloud optical properties, including cloud optical thickness and effective particle size, are investigated using Aqua MODIS data during both day and night conditions. It is revealed that contrast of averaged day and night properties is small, despite of an apparent distinction in occurrence frequencies. The geographical differences are more pronounced. Seasonal variations, vertical distributions, as well as interrelations with other macrophysical and microphysical properties are also studied. The findings of this study will be useful for developing future cirrus cloud parameterization schemes in climate models.