An accurate parameterization of the solar radiative properties of cirrus clouds for climate models

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Journal of Climate

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1996)009<2058:AAPOTS>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:405345

Fu, Qiang ^[1]

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1. Dalhousie Univ., Nova Scotia (Canada)

An accurate parameterization of the solar radiative properties of cirrus clouds is developed based on improved light scattering calculations. Here 28 ice crystal size distributions from in situ aircraft observations in both tropical and midlatitude regions are employed. In the single scattering calculations, the most recent measurements of the imaginary refractive indices of ice are used, thereby eliminating a large existing uncertainty. The single scattering calculations, the most recent measurements of the imaginary refractive indices of ice are used, thereby eliminating a large existing uncertainty. The single scattering properties of hexagonal ice crystals are calculated by using an improved geometric ray-tracing program that can produce accurate results for size parameters larger than 15. A generalized effective size, D{ge}, is defined to account for the ice crystal size distribution in the radiative calculations. Based on physical principles, the single scattering properties have been parameterized in terms of ice water content (IWC) and D{sub ge}. This allows the cirrus cloud single scattering properties to respond independently to changes in IWC or D{sub ge}.

• OSTI ID: 405345
• Journal Information: Journal of Climate, Journal Name: Journal of Climate Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 9; ISSN JLCLEL; ISSN 0894-8755
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION
ACCURACY
ALBEDO
CLIMATE MODELS
CLOUDS
ICE
LIGHT SCATTERING
SOLAR RADIATION