A boundary-layer cloud study using Southern Great Plains Cloud and radiation testbed (CART) data
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States); and others
Boundary layer clouds-stratus and fairweather cumulus - are closely coupled involves the radiative impact of the clouds on the surface energy budget and the strong dependence of cloud formation and maintenance on the turbulent fluxes of heat and moisture in the boundary layer. The continuous data collection at the Southern Great Plains (SGP) Cloud and Radiation Testbed (CART) site provides a unique opportunity to study components of the coupling processes associated with boundary layer clouds and to provide descriptions of cloud and boundary layer structure that can be used to test parameterizations used in climate models. But before the CART data can be used for process studies and parameterization testing, it is necessary to evaluate and validate data and to develop techniques for effectively combining the data to provide meaningful descriptions of cloud and boundary layer characteristics. In this study we use measurements made during an intensive observing period we consider a case where low-level stratus were observed at the site for about 18 hours. This case is being used to examine the temporal evolution of cloud base, cloud top, cloud liquid water content, surface radiative fluxes, and boundary layer structure. A method for inferring cloud microphysics from these parameters is currently being evaluated.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States). Environmental Sciences Div.
- OSTI ID:
- 263499
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9503140-; ON: DE96010942; TRN: 96:003652-0001
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 5. atmospheric radiation measurement (ARM) science team meeting, San Diego, CA (United States), 19-23 Mar 1995; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the fifth Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) science team meeting; PB: 421 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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