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Cirrus feedback on interannual climate fluctuations

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL062095· OSTI ID:1402286
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [4]
  1. Department of Atmospheric Sciences Texas A&,M University College Station Texas USA, Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore California USA
  2. Department of Atmospheric Sciences Texas A&,M University College Station Texas USA
  3. Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore California USA
  4. Department of Atmospheric Sciences Texas A&,M University College Station Texas USA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena California USA

Abstract

Cirrus clouds are not only important in determining the current climate but also play an important role in climate change and variability. Analysis of satellite observations shows that the amount and altitude of cirrus clouds (cloud optical depth < 3.6, cloud top pressure < 440 hPa) increase in response to interannual surface warming. Using cirrus cloud radiative kernels, the magnitude of the interannual cirrus feedback is estimated to be 0.20 ± 0.21 W/m 2 /°C, which represents an important component of the cloud feedback. Thus, cirrus clouds are likely to act as a positive feedback on interannual climate fluctuations, by reducing the Earth's ability to radiate longwave radiation to space in response to planetary surface warming. Most of the cirrus feedback comes from increasing cloud amount in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) and subtropical upper troposphere.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1402286
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1174296
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 24 Vol. 41; ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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