Spaceborne mid‐ and far‐infrared observations improving nighttime ice cloud property retrievals
File(s)2020GL087491.pdf (2.27 MB)
Published version
OA Location
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Two upcoming missions are scheduled to provide novel spaceborne observations of upwelling far‐infrared spectra. In this study, the accuracy of ice cloud property retrievals using spaceborne middle‐to‐far‐infrared (MIR‐FIR) measurements is examined toward a better understanding of retrieval biases and uncertainties. Theoretical sensitivity studies demonstrate that the MIR‐FIR spectra are sensitive to ice cloud properties, thereby providing a robust means for retrieving cloud properties under nighttime conditions. However, the temperature dependence of the ice refractive index and relevant ice particle shape models need to be incorporated into the retrieval procedure to avoid systematic biases in inferring cloud optical thickness and effective particle radius. Furthermore, prior information of subpixel cloud fractions is essential to mitigation of substantial systematic retrieval biases due to inconsistent subpixel cloud fractions.
Date Issued
2020-09-28
Date Acceptance
2020-08-03
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2020, 47 (18), pp.1-10
ISSN
0094-8276
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page
1
End Page
10
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
47
Issue
18
Copyright Statement
©2020. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. This is the accepted version of the following article: Saito, M., Yang, P., Huang, X., Brindley, H. E., Mlynczak, M. G., & Kahn, B. H. (2020). Spaceborne middle‐ and far‐infrared observations improving nighttime ice cloud property retrievals. Geophysical Research Letters, 47, e2020GL087491, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087491
Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Identifier
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020GL087491
Grant Number
JJR/NCEO/ContFP1
NE/N01376X/1
Subjects
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2020-08-30