Global Hydrometeor Occurrence as Observed by CloudSAT: Initial Observations from Summer 2006

Journal Article · Tue May 08 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Geophysical Research Letters, 34:L09808

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL029017· OSTI ID:912499

Mace, Gerald G; Marchand, Roger T; Zhang, Qiuqing; Stephens, Graeme L

Measurements of global hydrometeor coverage and occurrence frequencies as observed by the cloud radar on CloudSat are summarized using data collected during Summer 2006. CloudSat was launched on 28 April 2006 and began collecting data routinely on 7 June 2006. In this article we document the distribution of cloudiness from the ITCZ to the Polar regions as observed by CloudSat during the first summer of operations. The overall global hydrometeor coverage as observed by CloudSat is found to be 0.506. The vertical distribution of zonally averaged hydrometeor occurrence shows the relationship of clouds with components of the atmospheric general circulation such as the Hadley Cell, the ubiquitous storms over the Southern Ocean, and the subtropical stratocumulus regimes.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 912499
• Report Number(s): PNWD-SA-7860
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters, 34:L09808, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters, 34:L09808 Vol. 34; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
CLOUDS
DISTRIBUTION
GLOBAL ASPECTS
RADAR
STORMS
clouds
satellite