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Title: Post Cold Frontal Clouds at the ARM Eastern North Atlantic Site: An Examination of the Relationship Between Large‐Scale Environment and Low‐Level Cloud Properties

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JD029015· OSTI ID:1480905
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [2]
  1. Applied Physics and Applied MathematicsColumbia University/NASA‐GISS New York NY USA
  2. Earth and Atmospheric SciencesCity University of New York‐City College New York NY USA
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Abstract Using cloud and environment observations from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program Eastern North Atlantic site and an automated cold front detection routine, cloud properties in post cold front (PCF) periods are examined and compared to similar conditions of subsidence (non‐PCF). PCF periods exhibit stronger subsidence and wind speed than non‐PCF periods, with weaker inversions and stronger surface temperature contrasts. Low‐level clouds are predominant and are found to have higher cloud base and top heights, colder cloud top temperature, and greater vertical extent and liquid water path during PCF than non‐PCF periods. The environmental metric that is best correlated with cloud boundaries for both PCF and non‐PCF periods is the difference in potential temperature between the sea surface and 800 hPa, a parameter used to locate cold air outbreak conditions. However, the cloud vertical extent and liquid water path are found to be better correlated with sea‐air temperature contrast, a parameter related to turbulent surface fluxes. The strength of the relationships between the cloud characteristics and these metrics does not differ for PCF and non‐PCF periods. However, the strength of the metrics differs between PCF and non‐PCF periods and can explain cloud property differences. The results suggest both the properties of the boundary layer and the presence of an upper‐level cyclone associated with the cold front determine PCF cloud properties.

Research Organization:
Columbia Univ., New York, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0016344; DE‐SC0016344
OSTI ID:
1480905
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1480906; OSTI ID: 1594074
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres Vol. 123 Journal Issue: 21; ISSN 2169-897X
Publisher:
American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 16 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
ARM
Eastern North Atlantic
post-cold front
boundary layer clouds
MCAO M-index
cloud properties
large-scale drivers