Cloud regimes over the Amazon Basin: perspectives from the GoAmazon2014/5 campaign

Journal Article · 28 June 2020 · Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-7489-2020 · OSTI ID:1635302

Giangrande, Scott E. ; Wang, Dié ; Mechem, David B.

Abstract. Radiosonde observations collected during the GoAmazon2014/5 campaign are analyzed to identify the primary thermodynamic regimes accompanying different modes of convection over the Amazon. This analysis identifies five thermodynamic regimes that are consistent with traditional Amazon calendar definitions of seasonal shifts, which include one wet, one transitional, and three dry season regimes based on a k-means cluster analysis. A multisensor ground-based approach is used to project associated bulk cloud and precipitation properties onto these regimes. This is done to assess the propensity for each regime to be associated with different characteristic cloud frequency, cloud types, and precipitation properties. Additional emphasis is given to those regimes that promote deep convective precipitation and organized convective systems. Overall, we find reduced cloud cover and precipitation rates to be associated with the three dry regimes and those with the highest convective inhibition. While approximately 15 % of the dataset is designated as organized convection, these events are predominantly contained within the transitional regime.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0012704; SC0016522
• OSTI ID: 1635302
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1637475
• Journal Information: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online), Journal Name: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online) Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 20; ISSN 1680-7324
• Publisher: Copernicus Publications, EGUCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Germany
• Language: English