Cirrus Distribution Mapped with Aura HIRDLS
The vertical depths of cirrus in the upper troposphere vary from less to a kilometer to many kilometers. There is interest in knowing these depths in order to understand how cirrus contributes to the heating and cooling rates in the upper troposphere – a positive solar plus infrared heating rate will impart a positive enhancement to the vertical motion field. Measurements of cirrus by Aura's High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) instrument add to the knowledge base, since the HIRDLS experiment is sensitive to the presence of small amounts of cirrus along limb-views in the upper troposphere. Near Indonesia (longitudes around 120° E), cirrus of kilometer scale vertical thickness (shown here) occurs more frequently away from the equator than over the equator. This cirrus produces positive heating in the upper troposphere, while thicker cirrus over the equator has a cooling effect.
Near Indonesia (longitudes around 120 E), cirrus of kilometer scale vertical thickness (shown here) occurs more frequently away from the equator than over the equator. Thin cirrus produces positive heating in the upper troposphere, while thicker cirrus over the equator has a cooling effect. Ongoing research using this data will determine how this heating enhances vertical transport in the upper troposphere.
Steven Massie et al., NCAR, publication in preparation
10.04.2010
HIRDLS
Aura’s High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) instrument can obtain profiles over most of the globe, both day and night. Complete Earth coverage can be obtained in twelve hours. Observations…
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