Reconciling simulated and observed views of clouds: MODIS, ISCCP, and the limits of instrument simulators

Journal of Climate

Volumn 25, Issue 13, 2012, Pages 4699-4720

  Pincus, Robert ^a   Platnick, Steven ^b   Ackerman, Steven A ^c   Hemler, Richard S ^d   Patrick Hofmann, Robert J ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO   (United States)

^b NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER   (United States)

^c UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON   (United States)

^d NOAA EARTH SYSTEM RESEARCH LABORATORY   (United States)

Author keywords

Climate models; Clouds; Model evaluation performance; Remote sensing; Satellite observations

Indexed keywords

CLOUD CLIMATOLOGY; CLOUD PROPERTIES; CLOUD TOP PRESSURE; CLOUDY PIXELS; DATA SETS; DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS; GLOBAL MODELS; INSTRUMENT SIMULATOR; INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE CLOUD CLIMATOLOGY PROJECTS; LIMITED INFORMATION; MODEL ERRORS; MODEL EVALUATION; MODEL REPRESENTATION; MODERATE RESOLUTION IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER; OPTICAL THICKNESS; SATELLITE INSTRUMENTS; SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS;

CLIMATE MODELS; CLIMATOLOGY; CLOUDS; INSTRUMENTS; PIXELS; RADIOMETERS; REMOTE SENSING; SATELLITE IMAGERY;

SIMULATORS;

CLIMATE MODELING; CLOUD; CLOUD COVER; MODIS; OPTICAL PROPERTY; REMOTE SENSING;

EID: 84862727533     PISSN: 08948755     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00267.1     Document Type: Article

References (76)

1. Ackerman, S.A., K. I.Strabala, W. P.Menzel, R.A.Frey, C.Moeller, and L. E. Gumley, 1998: Discriminating clear sky from clouds with MODIS. J. Geophys. Res., 103 (D24), 32 141-32 157.
2. Ackerman, S.A, R. E. Holz, R. Frey, E. W. Eloranta, B. C. Maddux, and M. McGill, 2008: Cloud detection with MODIS. Part II: Validation. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 25, 1073-1086.
3. Alexandrov, M. D., A. Marshak, and A. S. Ackerman, 2010: Cellular statistical models of broken cloud fields. Part I: Theory. J. Atmos. Sci., 67, 2125-2151.
4. Barker, H. W., B. A. Wielicki, and L. Parker, 1996: A parameterization for computing grid-averaged solar fluxes for inhomogeneous marine boundary layer clouds. Part II: Validation using satellite data. J. Atmos. Sci., 53, 2304-2316.
5. Baum, B. A., P. Yang, A. J. Heymsfield, S. Platnick, M. D. King, Y.-X. Hu, and S. T. Bedka, 2005: Bulk scattering properties for the remote sensing of ice clouds. Part II: Narrowband models. J. Appl. Meteor., 44, 1896-1911.
6. Bodas-Salcedo, A., and Coauthors, 2011: COSP: Satellite simulation software for model assessment. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 92, 1023-1043.
7. Cairns, B., 1995: Diurnal variations of cloud from ISCCP data. Atmos. Res., 37, 133-146, doi:10.1016/0169-8095(94)00074-N.
8. Chang, F.-L., and J. A. Coakley, 2007: Relationships between marine stratus cloud optical depth and temperature: Inferences from AVHRR observations. J. Climate, 20, 2022-2036.
9. Chepfer, H., S. Bony, D. Winker, M. Chiriaco, J.-L. Dufresne, and G. Se' ze, 2008: Use of CALIPSO lidar observations to evaluate the cloudiness simulated by a climate model. Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L15704, doi:10.1029/2008GL034207.
10. Chepfer, H., S. Bony, D. Winker, G. Cesana, J.-L. Dufresne, P. Minnis, C. J. Stubenrauch, and S. Zeng, 2010: TheGCM-Oriented CALIPSO Cloud Product (CALIPSO-GOCCP). J. Geophys. Res., 115, D00H16, doi:10.1029/2009JD012251.
11. Del Genio, A. D., A. B. Wolf, and M.-S. Yao, 2005: Evaluation of regional cloud feedbacks using single-column models. J. Geophys. Res., 110, D15S13, doi:10.1029/2004JD005011.
12. Di Girolamo, L., and R. Davies, 1997: Cloud fraction errors caused by finite resolution measurements. J. Geophys. Res., 102 (D2), 1739-1756.
13. Di Girolamo, L, L. Liang, and S. Platnick, 2010: A global view of onedimensional solar radiative transfer through oceanic water clouds. Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L18809, doi:10.1029/ 2010GL044094.
14. Donner, L. J., and Coauthors, 2011: The dynamical core, physical parameterizations, and basic simulation characteristics of the atmospheric component of the GFDL global coupled model CM3. J. Climate, 24, 3484-3519.
15. Evan, A. T., A. K. Heidinger, and D. J. Vimont, 2007: Arguments against a physical long-term trend in global ISCCP cloud amounts. Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L04701, doi:10.1029/ 2006GL028083.
16. Evans, K. F., A. Marshak, and T. Vá rnai, 2008: The potential for improved boundary layer cloud optical depth retrievals from the multiple directions of MISR. J. Atmos. Sci., 65, 3179-3196.
17. Frey, R. A., S. A. Ackerman, Y. Liu, K. I. Strabala, H. Zhang, J. R. Key, and X. Wang, 2008: Cloud detection with MODIS. Part I: Improvements in the MODIS cloud mask for collection 5. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 25, 1057-1072.
18. Gleckler, P. J., K. E. Taylor, and C. Doutriaux, 2008: Performance metrics for climate models. J. Geophys. Res., 113, D06104, doi:10.1029/2007JD008972.
19. Haynes, J. M., Z. Luo, G. L. Stephens, R. T. Marchand, and A. Bodas-Salcedo, 2007: A multipurpose radar simulation package: QuickBeam. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 88, 1723-1727.
20. Holz, R. E., S.A.Ackerman, P. Antonelli, F. Nagle, R. O. Knuteson, M. McGill, D. L. Hlavka, and W. D. Hart, 2006: An improvement to the high-spectral-resolution CO2-slicing cloud-top altitude retrieval. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 23, 653-670.
21. Holz, R. E., S.A.Ackerman, F. W. Nagle, R. Frey, S. Dutcher, R. E. Kuehn, M. A. Vaughan, and B. Baum, 2008: Global Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud detection and height evaluation using CALIOP. J. Geophys. Res., 113, D00A19, doi:10.1029/2008JD009837.
22. Horváth, Á, and R. Davies, 2004: Anisotropy of water cloud reflectance: A comparison of measurements and 1D theory. Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L01102, doi:10.1029/2003GL018386.
23. King, M. D., and Coauthors, 2003: Cloud and aerosol properties, precipitable water, and profiles of temperature and water vapor from MODIS. IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 41, 442-458, doi:10.1109/TGRS.2002.808226.
24. King, M. D., S. Platnick, P. A. Hubanks, G. T. Arnold, E. G. Moody, G. Wind, and B.Wind, 2006: Collection 005 change summary for theMODIS cloud optical property (06_OD) algorithm. NASA Rep., Version 3.1, 23 pp. [Available online at http://modis-atmos.gsfc.nasa.gov/C005_Changes/C005_CloudOpticalProperties_ ver311.pdf.]
25. King, M. D., S. Platnick, G. Wind, G. T. Arnold, and R. T. Dominguez, 2010: Remote sensing of radiative and microphysical properties of clouds during TC4: Results fromMAS, MASTER, MODIS, and MISR. J. Geophys. Res., 115, D00J07, doi:10.1029/ 2009JD013277.
26. Klein, S. A., and C. Jakob, 1999: Validation and sensitivities of frontal clouds simulated by the ECMWF model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127, 2514-2531.
27. Koren, I., L. Oreopoulos, G. Feingold, L. A. Remer, and O. Altaratz, 2008:How small is a small cloud? Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 3855-3864, doi:10.5194/acp-8-3855-2008.
28. Liang, L., L. Di Girolamo, and S. Platnick, 2009: View-angle consistency in reflectance, optical thickness and spherical albedo of marine water-clouds over the northeastern Pacific through MISR-MODIS fusion. Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L09811, doi:10.1029/2008GL037124.
29. Loeb, N. G., and J. A. Coakley, 1998: Inference of marine stratus cloud optical depths from satellite measurements: Does 1D theory apply? J. Climate, 11, 215-233.
30. Loeb, N. G, S. Kato, K. Loukachine, and N. Manalo-Smith, 2005: Angular distribution models for top-of-atmosphere radiative flux estimation from the clouds and the earth's radiant energy system instrument on the Terra satellite. Part I: Methodology. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 22, 338-351.
31. Mace, G. G., and Coauthors, 2006: Cloud radiative forcing at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Climate Research Facility: 1. Technique, validation, and comparison to satellite-derived diagnostic quantities. J. Geophys. Res., 111, D11S90, doi:10.1029/2005JD005921.
32. Mace, G. G, S. Houser, S. Benson, S. A. Klein, and Q. Min, 2011: Critical evaluation of the ISCCP simulator using ground-based remote sensing data. J. Climate, 24, 1598-1612.
33. Macke, A., 1993: Scattering of light by polyhedral ice crystals. Appl. Opt., 32, 2780-2788.
34. Maddux, B. C., S. A. Ackerman, and S. Platnick, 2010: Viewing geometry dependencies in MODIS cloud products. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 27, 1519-1528.
35. Marchand, R., and T. P. Ackerman, 2010: An analysis of cloud cover in multiscale modeling framework global climate model simulations using 4 and 1km horizontal grids. J. Geophys. Res., 115, D16207, doi:10.1029/2009JD013423.
36. Marchand, R., and T. P. Ackerman, M. Smyth, and W. B. Rossow, 2010: A review of cloud top height and optical depth histograms from MISR, ISCCP, and MODIS. J. Geophys. Res., 115, D16206, doi:10.1029/ 2009JD013422.
37. Marshak, A., A. D. Davis, W. J. Wiscombe, and R. F. Cahalan, 1995: Radiative smoothing in fractal clouds. J. Geophys. Res., 100 (D12), 26 247-26 261.
38. Menzel, W. P., W. L. Smith, and T. R. Stewart, 1983: Improved cloud motion wind vector and altitude assignment using VAS. J. Climate Appl. Meteor., 22, 377-384.
39. Minnis, P., and B. A. Wielicki, 1988: Comparison of cloud amounts derived using GOES and Landsat data. J. Geophys. Res., 93 (D8), 9385-9403.
40. Minnis, P, and Coauthors, 2011: CERES edition-2 cloud property retrievals using TRMM VIRS and Terra and Aqua MODIS data-Part I: Algorithms. IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 49, 4374-4400, doi:10.1109/TGRS.2011.2144601.
41. Morcrette, J.-J., and C. Jakob, 2000: The response of the ECMWF model to changes in the cloud overlap assumption. Mon. Wea. Rev., 128, 1707-1732.
42. Nakajima, T., and M. D. King, 1990: Determination of the optical thickness and effective particle radius of clouds from reflected solar radiation measurements. Part I: Theory. J. Atmos. Sci., 47, 1878-1893.
43. Norris, J. R., 2000: What can cloud observations tell us about climate variability? Space Sci. Rev., 94, 375-380.
44. Norris, J. R, and C. P. Weaver, 2001: Improved techniques for evaluating GCM cloudiness applied to the NCAR CCM3. J. Climate, 14, 2540-2550.
45. Oreopoulos, L., and R. F. Cahalan, 2005: Cloud inhomogeneity from MODIS. J. Climate, 18, 5110-5124.
46. Pincus, R., S. A. McFarlane, and S. A. Klein, 1999: Albedo bias and the horizontal variability of clouds in subtropical marine boundary layers: Observations from ships and satellites. J. Geophys. Res., 104 (D6), 6183-6191.
47. Pincus, R, C. Hannay, S. A. Klein, K.-M. Xu, and R. S. Hemler, 2005: Overlap assumptions for assumed probability distribution function cloud schemes in large-scale models. J. Geophys. Res., 110, D15S09, doi:10.1029/2004JD005100.
48. Pincus, R, R. S. Hemler, and S. A. Klein, 2006: Using stochastically generated subcolumns to represent cloud structure in a largescale model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 134, 3644-3656.
49. Pincus, R, C. P. Batstone, R. J. P. Hofmann, K. E. Taylor, and P. J. Gleckler, 2008: Evaluating the present-day simulation of clouds, precipitation, and radiation in climate models. J. Geophys. Res., 113, D14209, doi:10.1029/2007JD009334.
50. Pincus, R, R. J. P. Hofmann, J. L. Anderson, K. Raeder, N. Collins, and J. S. Whitaker, 2011: Can fully accounting for clouds in data assimilation improve short-term forecasts? Mon. Wea. Rev., 139, 946-957.
51. Platnick, S., and F. P. J. Valero, 1995: A validation of a satellite cloud retrieval during ASTEX. J. Atmos. Sci., 52, 2985-3001.
52. Platnick, S, M. D. King, S. A. Ackerman, W. P. Menzel, B. A. Baum, J. C. Riédi, and R. A. Frey, 2003: The MODIS cloud products: Algorithms and examples from Terra. IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 41, 459-473, doi:10.1109/TGRS.2002.808301.
53. Platnick, S, R. Pincus, B. Wind, M. D. King, M. A. Gray, and P. Hubanks, 2004: An initial analysis of the pixel-level uncertainties in global MODIS cloud optical thickness and effective particle size retrievals. Passive Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Clouds IV, S. C. Tsay, T. Yokota, and M.-H. Ahn, Eds., International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE Proceedings, Vol. 5652), doi:10.1117/12.578353.
54. Rä isänen, P., H. W. Barker, M. F. Khairoutdinov, J. Li, and D. A. Randall, 2004: Stochastic generation of subgrid-scale cloudy columns for large-scale models. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 130, 2047-2067, doi:10.1256/qj.03.99.
55. Reichler, T., and J. Kim, 2008: How well do coupled models simulate today's climate? Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 89, 303-311.
56. Rossow, W. B., and R. A. Schiffer, 1991: ISCCP cloud data products. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 72, 2-20.
57. Rossow, W. B, and L. C. Garder, 1993: Validation of ISCCP cloud detections. J. Climate, 6, 2370-2393.
58. Rossow, W. B, and R. A. Schiffer, 1999: Advances in understanding clouds from ISCCP. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 80, 2261-2287.
59. Rossow, W. B, A. W. Walker, and L. C. Garder, 1993: Comparison of ISCCP and other cloud amounts. J. Climate, 6, 2394-2418.
60. Rossow, W. B, C. Delo, and B. Cairns, 2002: Implications of the observed mesoscale variations of clouds for the earth's radiation budget. J. Climate, 15, 557-585.
61. Rossow, W. B, G. Tselioudis, A. Polak, and C. Jakob, 2005: Tropical climate described as a distribution of weather states indicated by distinct mesoscale cloud property mixtures.Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L21812, doi:10.1029/2005GL024584.
62. Shenk, W. E., and V. V. Salomonson, 1972: A simulation study exploring the effects of sensor spatial resolution on estimates of cloud cover from satellites. J. Appl. Meteor., 11, 214-220.
63. Stubenrauch, C.et al, 2009: Assessment of global cloud climatologies. GEWEX News, No. 1, International GEWEX Project Office, Silver Spring, MD, 6-7.
64. Taylor, K. E., 2001: Summarizing multiple aspects of model performance in a single diagram. J. Geophys. Res., 106 (D7), 7183-7192.
65. Wang, J., W. B. Rossow, T. Uttal, and M. Rozendaal, 1999: Variability of cloud vertical structure during ASTEX observed from a combination of rawinsonde, radar, ceilometer, and satellite. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127, 2484-2502.
66. Webb, M. J., C. Senior, S. Bony, and J.-J. Morcrette, 2001: Combining ERBE and ISCCP data to assess clouds in the Hadley Centre, ECMWF and LMD atmospheric climate models. Climate Dyn., 17, 905-922.
67. Wielicki, B. A., and L. Parker, 1992: On the determination of cloud cover from satellite sensors: The effect of sensor spatial resolution. J. Geophys. Res., 97 (D12), 12 799-12 823.
68. Williams, K. D., and M. J. Webb, 2009:Aquantitative performance assessment of cloud regimes in climate models. Climate Dyn., 33, 141-157, doi:10.1007/s00382-008-0443-1.
69. Wind, G., S. Platnick, M. D. King, P. A. Hubanks, M. J. Pavolonis, A. K. Heidinger, P. Yang, and B. A. Baum, 2010: Multilayer cloud detection with the MODIS near-infrared water vapor absorption band. J. Appl. Meteor. Climatol., 49, 2315-2333.
70. Yang, Y., and L. Di Girolamo, 2008: Impacts of 3-D radiative effects on satellite cloud detection and their consequences on cloud fraction and aerosol optical depth retrievals. J. Geophys. Res., 113, D04213, doi:10.1029/2007JD009095.
71. Yu, W., M. Doutriaux, G. Seze, H. Treut, and M. Desbois, 1996: A methodology study of the validation of clouds in GCMs using ISCCP satellite observations. Climate Dyn., 12, 389-401.
72. Zhang, M. H., et al, 2005: Comparing clouds and their seasonal variations in 10 atmospheric general circulation models with satellite measurements. J. Geophys. Res., 110, D15S02, doi:10.1029/2004JD005021.
73. Zhang, Y., W. B. Rossow, A. A. Lacis, V. Oinas, and M. I. Mishchenko, 2004: Calculation of radiative fluxes from the surface to top of atmosphere based on ISCCP and other global data sets: Refinements of the radiative transfer model and the input data. J. Geophys. Res., 109, D19105, doi:10.1029/ 2003JD004457.
74. Zhang, Z., and S. Platnick, 2011: An assessment of differences between cloud effective particle radius retrievals for marine water clouds from three MODIS spectral bands. J. Geophys. Res., 116, D20215, doi:10.1029/2011JD016216.
75. Zhang, Z., and S. Platnick, P. Yang, A. K. Heidinger, and J. M. Comstock, 2010: Effects of ice particle size vertical inhomogeneity on the passive remote sensing of ice clouds. J. Geophys. Res., 115, D17203, doi:10.1029/2010JD013835.
76. Zhao, G., and L. Di Girolamo, 2006: Cloud fraction errors for trade wind cumuli from EOS-Terra instruments. Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L20802, doi:10.1029/2006GL027088.