bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Simulated Changes in Future Arctic Cloudiness
Authors: Vavrus Stephen J. , Bhatt Uma S. , Alexeev Vladimir A. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
This study diagnoses the changes in Arctic clouds simulated by the Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) in a transient 2 × CO2 simulation. Four experiments—one fully coupled and three with prescribed SSTs and/or sea ice cover—are used to identify the mechanisms responsible for the projected cloud changes. The target simulation uses a T42 version of the CCSM3, in which the atmosphere is coupled to a dynamical ocean with mobile sea ice. This simulation is approximated by a T42 atmosphere-only integration using CCSM3’s atmospheric component [the Community Atmosphere Model version 3 (CAM3)] forced at its lower boundary with the changes in both SSTs and sea ice concentration from CCSM3’s 2 × CO2 run. The authors decompose the combined effect of the higher SSTs and reduced sea ice concentration on the Arctic cloud response in this experiment by running two additional CAM3 simulations: one forced with modern SSTs and the projected sea ice cover changes in CCSM3 and the other forced with modern sea ice coverage and the projected changes in SSTs in CCSM3.
The results suggest that future increases in Arctic cloudiness simulated by CCSM3 are mostly attributable to two separate processes. Low cloud gains are primarily initiated locally by enhanced evaporation within the Arctic due to reduced sea ice, whereas cloud increases at middle and high levels are mostly driven remotely via greater meridional moisture transport from lower latitudes in a more humid global atmosphere. The enhanced low cloudiness attributable to sea ice loss causes large increases in cloud radiative forcing during the coldest months and therefore promotes even greater surface warming. Because CCSM3’s Arctic cloud response to greenhouse forcing is similar to other GCMs, the driving mechanisms identified here may be applicable to other models and could help to advance our understanding of likely changes in the vertical structure of polar clouds.
Global Energy and Water Budgets in MERRA
Authors: Bosilovich Michael G. , Robertson Franklin R. , Chen Junye 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Reanalyses, retrospectively analyzing observations over climatological time scales, represent a merger between satellite observations and models to provide globally continuous data and have improved over several generations. Balancing the earth’s global water and energy budgets has been a focus of research for more than two decades. Models tend to their own climate while remotely sensed observations have had varying degrees of uncertainty. This study evaluates the latest NASA reanalysis, the Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA), from a global water and energy cycles perspective, to place it in context of previous work and demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses.
MERRA was configured to provide complete budgets in its output diagnostics, including the incremental analysis update (IAU), the term that represents the observations influence on the analyzed states, alongside the physical flux terms. Precipitation in reanalyses is typically sensitive to the observational analysis. For MERRA, the global mean precipitation bias and spatial variability are more comparable to merged satellite observations [the Global Precipitation and Climatology Project (GPCP) and Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP)] than previous generations of reanalyses. MERRA ocean evaporation also has a much lower value, which is comparable to independently derived estimate datasets. The global energy budget shows that MERRA cloud effects may be generally weak, leading to excess shortwave radiation reaching the ocean surface.
Evaluating the MERRA time series of budget terms, a significant change occurs that does not appear to be represented in observations. In 1999, the global analysis increments of water vapor changes sign from negative to positive and primarily lead to more oceanic precipitation. This change is coincident with the beginning of Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) radiance assimilation. Previous and current reanalyses all exhibit some sensitivity to perturbations in the observation record, and this remains a significant research topic for reanalysis development. The effect of the changing observing system is evaluated for MERRA water and energy budget terms.
Observations of Internal Tides on the Oregon Continental Slope
Authors: Martini Kim I. , Alford Matthew H. , Kunze Eric , Kelly Samuel M. , Nash Jonathan D. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
A complex superposition of locally forced and shoaling remotely generated semidiurnal internal tides occurs on the Oregon continental slope. Presented here are observations from a zonal line of five profiling moorings deployed across the continental slope from 500 to 3000 m, a 24-h expendable current profiler (XCP) survey, and five 15–48-h lowered ADCP (LADCP)/CTD stations. The 40-day moored deployment spans three spring and two neap tides, during which the proportions of the locally and remotely forced internal tides vary. Baroclinic signals are strong throughout spring and neap tides, with 4–5-day-long bursts of strong cross-slope baroclinic semidiurnal velocity and vertical displacement . Energy fluxes exhibit complex spatial and temporal patterns throughout both tidal periods. During spring tides, local barotropic forcing is strongest and energy flux over the slope is predominantly offshore (westward). During neap tides, shoaling remotely generated internal tides dominate and energy flux is predominantly onshore (eastward). Shoaling internal tides do not exhibit a strong spring–neap cycle and are also observed during the first spring tide, indicating that they originate from multiple sources. The bulk of the remotely generated internal tide is hypothesized to be generated from south of the array (e.g., Mendocino Escarpment), because energy fluxes at the deep mooring 100 km offshore are always directed northward. However, fluxes on the slope suggest that the northbound internal tide is turned onshore, most likely by reflection from large-scale bathymetry. This is verified with a simple three-dimensional model of mode-1 internal tides propagating obliquely onto a near-critical slope, whose output conforms fairly well to observations, in spite of its simplicity.
A Physical Method for the Calibration of the AVHRR/3 Thermal IR Channels. Part II: An In-Orbit Comparison of the AVHRR Longwave Thermal IR Channels on board MetOp-A with IASI
Authors: Mittaz Jonathan , Harris Andrew 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Obtaining stable and accurate satellite radiances for climate change research requires extremely high standards for satellite calibration. Many satellite sensors do not currently meet the accuracy criteria, especially heritage sensors such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), which shows scene temperature–dependent trends and biases of up to 0.5 K. Recently, however, a detailed study of the AVHRR/3 prelaunch data showed significant problems with both the calibration algorithm and the prelaunch data and indicated that the inherent accuracy of the AVHRR may actually be quite high. A new approach has been suggested that fixed many of the issues with the current (operational) calibration, but has not yet been applied to the in-orbit case. In this paper the behavior of the AVHRR in orbit is examined and compared to the operational AVHRR radiances from the Meteorological Operation (MetOp)-A with those based on the new calibration to radiances derived from the Infrared Atmosphere Sounding Instrument (IASI). It is shown that the current AVHRR calibration does indeed introduce large (0.5 K) biases, but these biases are remarkably stable. It is further shown that, with some modification related to differences between the prelaunch test environment and the in-orbit environment, a physically based AVHRR calibration can match IASI to better than ~0.05 K, which is an order of magnitude better than what is currently available. Finally, it is shown that, while the new calibration is capable of providing accurate and stable radiances for the nadir view, off-nadir biases of up to 1.5 K still exist at the largest zenith angles and at the coldest scene temperatures (~210 K). For surface temperature determination, however, the scan angle bias is very small (&lt;0.02 K), implying that the new AVHRR calibration will provide a significant improvement to, for example, sea surface temperature measurements, one of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)-designated essential climate variables.
The Descending Stratified Flow and Internal Hydraulic Jump in the Lee of the Sierras
Authors: Armi Laurence , Mayr Georg J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractCross-barrier density differences and westerly flow established a descending stratified flow across the Sierra Nevada (United States) on 9–10 April 2006. Downslope flow and an internal hydraulic jump occurred only when the potential temperature of the westerly descending flow was at least as cold as the existing upvalley-flowing valley air mass. The onset was observed in sequences of visible satellite images and with weather stations. The University of Wyoming King Air flew through the stratified flow and imaged the structure of the internal hydraulic jump with its cloud radar. Shear-layer instabilities, which first developed near the jump face, grew and paired downstream, mixing the internal hydraulic jump layer. A single wave response to the downslope flow and internal hydraulic jump was observed aloft, but only after the downslope flow had become established.
Vertical Variations of Mixing Lengths under Neutral and Stable Conditions during CASES-99
Authors: Sun Jielun 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAn investigation on vertical variations of the mixing lengths for momentum and heat under neutral and stable conditions was conducted using the data collected from the Cooperative Atmosphere–Surface Exchange Study in 1999 (CASES-99). By comparingκzwith the mixing lengths under neutral conditions calculated using the observations from CASES-99, the vertical layer where the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) is valid was identified. Hereκis the von Kármán constant andzis the height above the ground. On average, MOST is approximately valid between 0.5 and 10 m. Above the layer, the observed mixing lengths under neutral conditions are smaller than the MOSTκzand can be approximately described by Blackadar’s mixing length,κz/[1 + (κz/l∞)], withl∞= 15 m for up toz~ 20 m for the mixing length for momentum and up to the highest observation height for the mixing length for heat. Above ~20 m, the mixing length for momentum approaches a constant. Both MOSTκzand Blackadar’s formula systematically overestimate the mixing length for momentum above ~20 m, leading to overestimates of turbulence.
Evolution and Distribution of Record-Breaking High and Low Monthly Mean Temperatures
Authors: Anderson Amalia , Kostinski Alexander 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe ratio of record highs to record lows is examined with respect to extent of time series for monthly mean temperatures within the continental United States for 1900–2006. In counting the number of records that occur in a single year, the authors find a ratio greater than unity in 2006, increasing nearly monotonically as the time series increases in length via a variable first year over 1900–76. For example, in 2006, the ratio of record highs to record lows ≈ 13:1 with 1950 as the first year and ≈ 25:1 with 1900 as the first year; both ratios are an order of magnitude greater than 3σ for stationary simulations. This indicates a warming trend. It is also found that records are more sensitive to trends in time series of monthly averages than in time series of corresponding daily values. When the last year (1920–2006, starting in 1900) is varied, it is found that the ratio of record highs to record lows is strongly correlated with the ensemble mean temperature. Correlation coefficients are 0.76 and 0.82 for 1900–2006 and 1950–2006, respectively; 3σ = 0.3 for pairs of uncorrelated stationary time series. Similar values are found for globally distributed time series: 0.87 and 0.92 for 1900–2006 and 1950–2006, respectively. The ratios evolve differently, however: global ratios increase throughout (1920–2006) whereas continental U.S. ratios decrease from about 1940 to 1970. Last, the geographical and seasonal distributions of trends are considered by summing records over time rather than ensemble. In the continental United States, the greatest excess of record highs occurs in February (≈2:1) and the greatest excess of record lows occurs in October (≈2:3). In addition, ratios are pronounced in certain regions: in February in the Midwest the ratio ≈ 5:2, and in October in the Southeast the ratio ≈ 1:2.
Reducing the Biases in Simulated Radar Reflectivities from a Bulk Microphysics Scheme: Tropical Convective Systems
Authors: Lang Stephen E. , Tao Wei-Kuo , Zeng Xiping , Li Yaping 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
A well-known bias common to many bulk microphysics schemes currently being used in cloud-resolving models is the tendency to produce excessively large reflectivity values (e.g., 40 dBZ) in the middle and upper troposphere in simulated convective systems. The Rutledge and Hobbs–based bulk microphysics scheme in the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble model is modified to reduce this bias and improve realistic aspects. Modifications include lowering the efficiencies for snow/graupel riming and snow accreting cloud ice; converting less rimed snow to graupel; allowing snow/graupel sublimation; adding rime splintering, immersion freezing, and contact nucleation; replacing the Fletcher formulation for activated ice nuclei with that of Meyers et al.; allowing for ice supersaturation in the saturation adjustment; accounting for ambient RH in the growth of cloud ice to snow; and adding/accounting for cloud ice fall speeds. In addition, size-mapping schemes for snow/graupel were added as functions of temperature and mixing ratio, lowering particle sizes at colder temperatures but allowing larger particles near the melting level and at higher mixing ratios. The modifications were applied to a weakly organized continental case and an oceanic mesoscale convective system (MCS). Strong echoes in the middle and upper troposphere were reduced in both cases. Peak reflectivities agreed well with radar for the weaker land case but, despite improvement, remained too high for the MCS. Reflectivity distributions versus height were much improved versus radar for the less organized land case but not for the MCS despite fewer excessively strong echoes aloft due to a bias toward weaker echoes at storm top.
Missing Stratospheric Ozone Decrease at Southern Hemisphere Middle Latitudes after Mt. Pinatubo: A Dynamical Perspective
Authors: Poberaj C. Schnadt , Staehelin J. , Brunner D. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Although large total ozone decreases occurred in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics in the years after the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo that are generally attributed to the eruption, comparable decreases did not emerge in the Southern Hemisphere. To study this missing decrease, a multiple linear regression was applied to the Chemical and Dynamical Influences on Decadal Ozone Change (CANDIDOZ) Assimilated Three-Dimensional Ozone (CATO) dataset including the solar cycle, the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), the effect of volcanic eruptions, the lower stratospheric (LS) Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux to describe the Brewer–Dobson circulation, and stratospheric chlorine increase as explanatory variables. Volcanically induced chemical ozone depletion was overcompensated by the QBO and by a pronounced EP flux anomaly. Using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, it is found that the anomalous EP flux was caused by several significant stratospheric wave events (SWEs) from September–November 1991 through 1992 that, together with aerosol heating, led to a significantly enhanced Brewer–Dobson circulation and more ozone transport from the tropics to the extratropics. The onset of the volcanic ozone loss was shifted into 1992 and the strength of the signal was reduced. Most SWEs can be traced back to the troposphere and a significant fraction was associated with atmospheric blocking patterns preceding the SWEs. In 1991/92, the southern annular mode was in a negative phase and El Niño–Southern Oscillation in a warm phase. It is suggested that this constellation favored a flow preconditioning toward quasi-stationary features including blocking, which was significantly enhanced in 1991/92. During June–August 1992, blocking occurred preferably over the southeastern Pacific, pointing to a major ENSO influence on LS wave activity.
On Momentum Transport and Dissipative Heating during Hurricane Landfalls
Authors: Zhang Jun A. , Zhu Ping , Masters Forrest J. , Rogers Robert F. , Marks Frank D. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Momentum transport and dissipative heating are investigated using the high-resolution (10 Hz) wind data collected by Florida Coastal Monitoring Program portable weather stations in the surface layer of three landfalling hurricanes. The momentum flux is calculated using the eddy correlation method. The drag coefficient is determined from the momentum flux and surface wind speed. The values of the momentum flux and drag coefficient are found to be generally larger than those observed over the ocean at similar wind speeds up to near hurricane strength. The rate of dissipation is determined from the wind velocity spectra. The dissipative heating is estimated using two different methods: 1) integrating the rate of dissipation in the surface layer and 2) multiplying the drag coefficient by the cubic of the surface wind speed. It is found that the second method, which has been widely used in previous theoretical and numerical studies, significantly overestimates the magnitude of dissipative heating. This finding is consistent with a recent study on estimation of the dissipative heating over the ocean using in situ aircraft observations. This study is a first attempt at estimating the magnitude of dissipative heating in landfalling hurricanes using in situ observations. The results are believed to offer useful guidance in numerical weather prediction efforts aimed at improving the forecast of hurricane intensity.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation in Tropical and Midlatitude Column Ozone
Authors: Wang Jingqian , Pawson Steven , Tian Baijun , Liang Mao-Chang , Shia Run-Lie , Yung Yuk L. , Jiang Xun 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The impacts of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the tropical total column ozone, the tropical tropopause pressure, and the 3.5-yr ozone signal in the midlatitude total column ozone were examined using the Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry–Climate Model (GEOS CCM). Observed monthly mean sea surface temperature and sea ice between 1951 and 2004 were used as boundary conditions for the model. Since the model includes no solar cycle, quasi-biennial oscillation, or volcanic forcing, the ENSO signal was found to dominate the tropical total column ozone variability. Principal component analysis was applied to the detrended, deseasonalized, and low-pass filtered model outputs. The first mode of model total column ozone captured 63.8% of the total variance. The spatial pattern of this mode was similar to that in Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) observations. There was also a clear ENSO signal in the tropical tropopause pressure in the GEOS CCM, which is related to the ENSO signal in the total column ozone. The regression coefficient between the model total column ozone and the model tropopause pressure was 0.71 Dobson units (DU) hPa−1. The GEOS CCM was also used to investigate a possible mechanism for the 3.5-yr signal observed in the midlatitude total column ozone. The 3.5-yr signal in the GEOS CCM column ozone is similar to that in the observations, which suggests that a model with realistic ENSO can reproduce the 3.5-yr signal. Hence, it is likely that the 3.5-yr signal was caused by ENSO.
Rainfall Estimation with an Operational Polarimetric C-Band Radar in the United Kingdom: Comparison with a Gauge Network and Error Analysis
Authors: Bringi V. N. , Rico-Ramirez M. A. , Thurai M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe estimate of rainfall using data from an operational dual-polarized C-band radar in convective storms in southeast United Kingdom is compared against a network of gauges. Four different rainfall estimators are considered: reflectivity–rain-rate (Z–R) relation, with and without correcting for rain attenuation; a composite estimator, based on (i) Z–R, (ii) R(Z, Zdr), and (iii) R(Kdp); and exclusively R(Kdp). The various radar rain-rate estimators are developed using Joss disdrometer data from Chilbolton, United Kingdom. Hourly accumulations over radar pixels centered on the gauge locations are compared, with approximately 2500 samples available for gauge hourly accumulations > 0.2 mm. Overall, the composite estimator performed the “best” based on robust statistical measures such as mean absolute error, the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient, and mean bias, at all rainfall thresholds (>0.2, 1, 3, or 6 mm) with improving measures at the higher thresholds of >3 and >6 mm (higher rain rates). Error variance separation is carried out by estimating the gauge representativeness error using 4 yr of gauge data from the Hydrological Radar Experiment. The proportion of variance of the radar-to-gauge differences that could be explained by the gauge representativeness errors ranged from 20% to 55% (for the composite rain-rate estimator). The radar error is found to decrease from approximately 70% at the lower rain rates to 20% at the higher rain rates. The composite rain-rate estimator performed as well as can be expected from error variance analysis, at mean hourly rain rates of about 5 mm h−1 or larger with mean bias of ~10% (underestimate).
Diagnosing the Sensitivity of Local Land–Atmosphere Coupling via the Soil Moisture–Boundary Layer Interaction
Authors: Santanello Joseph A. , Peters-Lidard Christa D. , Kumar Sujay V. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe inherent coupled nature of earth’s energy and water cycles places significant importance on the proper representation and diagnosis of land–atmosphere (LA) interactions in hydrometeorological prediction models. However, the precise nature of the soil moisture–precipitation relationship at the local scale is largely determined by a series of nonlinear processes and feedbacks that are difficult to quantify. To quantify the strength of the local LA coupling (LoCo), this process chain must be considered both in full and as individual components through their relationships and sensitivities. To address this, recent modeling and diagnostic studies have been extended to 1) quantify the processes governing LoCo utilizing the thermodynamic properties of mixing diagrams, and 2) diagnose the sensitivity of coupled systems, including clouds and moist processes, to perturbations in soil moisture. This work employs NASA’s Land Information System (LIS) coupled to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale model and simulations performed over the U.S. Southern Great Plains. The behavior of different planetary boundary layers (PBL) and land surface scheme couplings in LIS–WRF are examined in the context of the evolution of thermodynamic quantities that link the surface soil moisture condition to the PBL regime, clouds, and precipitation. Specifically, the tendency toward saturation in the PBL is quantified by the lifting condensation level (LCL) deficit and addressed as a function of time and space. The sensitivity of the LCL deficit to the soil moisture condition is indicative of the strength of LoCo, where both positive and negative feedbacks can be identified. Overall, this methodology can be applied to any model or observations and is a crucial step toward improved evaluation and quantification of LoCo within models, particularly given the advent of next-generation satellite measurements of PBL and land surface properties along with advances in data assimilation schemes.