05/03/2012
A Critical New Tool for Quantifying Uncertainty in ARM-Retrieved Cloud Properties
Summary
DOE scientists have created a new ensemble cloud data product named the ARM Cloud Retrieval Ensemble Dataset (ACRED) for the climate modeling community. ACRED consists of cloud microphysical properties retrieved from nine different cloud retrieval algorithms using ARM ground-based radar/lidar measurements over many years on a common grid that is comparable to climate model output. Differences between these cloud retrieval products provide a crude estimate of uncertainties in current cloud retrievals. Understanding the uncertainty in ARM cloud retrievals is important for improving model-observation comparison and better constraining climate models. ACRED is expected to greatly facilitate the use of ARM cloud data by climate modelers and advance climate science in general.
References
Zhao, C., S. Xie, S. Klein, and other 15 co-authors. 2012. “Toward Understanding of Differences in Current Cloud Retrievals of ARM Ground-Based Measurements,” Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, DOI: 10.1029/2011JD016792, in press.