Estimation of the Uncertainty in Daytime Cirrus Cloud Radiative Forcing and Heating Rates due to Ice Crystal Optics

• Published in: Journal of applied meteorology and climatology Vol. 64; no. 5; pp. 513 - 527
• Main Authors: Dolinar, Erica K., Campbell, James R., Marquis, Jared W., Lewis, Jasper R., Lolli, Simone, Yang, Ping, Welton, Ellsworth J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston American Meteorological Society 01.05.2025
• Subjects: Aggregates; Albedo; Albedo effects; Atmosphere; Cirrus clouds; Climate change; Climate prediction; Climate studies; Cloud types; Clouds; Crystal optics; Crystals; Daytime; Energy budget; General circulation models; Greenhouse effect; Heating; High altitude; Ice; Ice crystals; Lidar; Lidar measurements; Numerical analysis; Optical analysis; Optical properties; Optical thickness; Optics; Plates; Radiation; Radiative forcing; Radiative heating; Shape; Space flight; Tropical environments; Uncertainty; Weather; Weather forecasting; United States > US; Barbados; Singapore

The uncertainties in absolute daytime top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) net cirrus cloud radiative forcing (CRF) and radiative heating rates are estimated at five Micropulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) sites spanning the tropics to high latitudes. One year of semitransparent cirrus cloud (optical depth < 3....