NSF Arctic Observing Networks

IPY: Cloud Properties Across the Arctic Basin from Surface and Satellite Measurements -
An Existing Arctic Observing Network

PIs: Von Walden (U. Idaho) and Matthew Shupe (U. Colorado)


Project Abstract


What is a Cloud?

The definition of a cloud strongly depends on the individual objectives (i.e., radiative impacts, microphysical processes, precipitation, etc.). We are examining the issue of cloud identification using surface-base remote sensors in order to inform our long term records of cloud observations from these sensors.

Figure: Cloud observations by radar (a), lidar (b), and AERI (c) and subsequent cloud fraction estimates (d) from each during the month of October 2006 in Eureka, Canada. In Panel d, blue is radar, orange is lidar, red is AERI, and the green symbols are surface observer records.

Figure: Cloud observations by radar (a), lidar (b), and AERI (c) for 26 and 27 October 2006 in Eureka, Canada. These observations highlight the different perspectives of each instrument. For example, the lidar and AERI observe thin mid- and high-level cloudiness in the first 10 hours that is partially missed by the radar. On the other hand, the lidar is occulted and the AERI is saturated during much of 27 Oct, while the radar fully penetrates the cloud layers.

Cloud Occurrence in the Arctic

Objective: Provide cloud macrophysical property data sets for Arctic Atmospheric Observatories.
Parameters: Cloud fraction, cloud base, cloud top, total cloud thickness
Sites: Barrow, Alaska; Eureka, Canada; Ny'Alesund, Norway; SHEBA
Available:CADIS archive


Figure: Total monthly-average cloud fraction at Arctic Atmospheric Observatories.All-site average is given in black.

Presentation at 2007 AMS Polar Meteorology and Oceanography Conference
Cloud Occurrence at Arctic Atmospheric Observatories
Presentation at 2009 AMS Polar Meteorology and Oceanography Conference
Cloud Occurrence and Phase at Arctic Atmospheric Observatories.
Two papers documenting Arctic cloudiness at Arctic Atmospheric Observatories have been published.
  • Shupe, M.D., V.P. Walden, E. Eloranta, T. Uttal, J.R. Campbell, S.M. Starkweather, and M. Shiobara, 2011: Clouds at Arctic Atmospheric Observatories, Part I: Occurrence and macrophysical properties. J. Appl. Meteor. Clim., 50, 626-644.
  • Shupe, M.D., 2011: Clouds at Arctic Atmospheric Observatories, Part II: Thermodynamic phase characteristics. J. Appl. Meteor. Clim., 50, 645-661.

    Cloud Microphysical Properties

    Objective: Provide cloud microphysical property data sets for Arctic Atmospheric Observatories.
    Parameters: Condensed water content and particle size for both liquid and ice
    Sites: Barrow, Alaska; Eureka, Canada; SHEBA
    Release Date: late-2009

    Available upon request.


    Back to Matthew Shupe homepage