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Comparison of Ice Cloud Particle Sizes Retrieved From Satellite Data Derived From In Situ MeasurementsCloud microphysical parameterizations have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to their effect on cloud radiative properties and cloud-related hydrological processes in large-scale models. The parameterization of cirrus particle size has been demonstrated as an indispensable component in the climate feedback analysis. Therefore, global-scale, long-term observations of cirrus particle sizes are required both as a basis of and as a validation of parameterizations for climate models. While there is a global scale, long-term survey of water cloud droplet sizes (Han et al. 1994), there is no comparable study for cirrus ice crystals. In this paper a near-global survey of cirrus ice crystal sizes is conducted using ISCCP satellite data analysis. The retrieval scheme uses phase functions based upon hexagonal crystals calculated by a ray tracing technique. The results show that global mean values of D(e) are about 60 micro-m. This study also investigates the possible reasons for the significant difference between satellite retrieved effective radii (approx. 60 micro-m) and aircraft measured particle sizes (approx. 200 micro-m) during the FIRE I IFO experiment. They are (1) vertical inhomogeneity of cirrus particle sizes; (2) lower limit of the instrument used in aircraft measurements; (3) different definitions of effective particle sizes; and (4) possible inappropriate phase functions used in satellite retrieval.
Document ID
19970023383
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Han, Qingyuan (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD United States)
Rossow, William B. (NASA Goddard Inst. for Space Studies New York, NY United States)
Chou, Joyce (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD United States)
Welch, Ronald M. (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: The 9th Conference on Atmospheric Radiation
Publisher: American Meteorological Society
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-204711
NAS 1.26:204711
Meeting Information
Meeting: Atmospheric Radiation
Location: Long Beach, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: February 2, 1997
End Date: February 7, 1997
Accession Number
97N23725
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FC03-90ER-61010
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-3788
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-4791
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-3922
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS1-19077
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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