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Characterizing relative humidity with respect to ice in midlatitude cirrus clouds as a function of atmospheric state: RHI IN MIDLATITUDE CIRRUS

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2015jd024643· OSTI ID:1532973
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States); DOE/OSTI
  2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Norman, OK (United States). National Severe Storms Lab.
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Midlatitude cirrus cloud macrophysical and microphysical properties have been shown in previous studies to vary seasonally and in various large-scale dynamical regimes, but relative humidity with respect to ice (RHI) within cirrus clouds has not been studied extensively in this context. Using a combination of radiosonde and millimeter-wavelength cloud radar data, we identify 1076 cirrus clouds spanning a 7 year period from 2004 to 2011. These data are separated into five classes using a previously published algorithm that is based largely on synoptic conditions. Using these data and classification scheme, we find that RHI in cirrus clouds varies seasonally. Variations in cirrus cloud RHI exist within the prescribed classifications; however, most of the variations are within the measurement uncertainty. Additionally, with the exception of nonsummer class cirrus, these variations are not statistically significant. We also find that cirrus cloud occurrence is not necessarily correlated with higher observed values of RHI. The structure of RHI in cirrus clouds varies more in thicker clouds, which follows previous studies showing that macrophysical and microphysical variability increases in thicker cirrus clouds.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0008830
OSTI ID:
1532973
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 121; ISSN 2169-897X
Publisher:
American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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