Studies of cloud ice water path and optical thickness during FIRE-II and ASTEX

摘要

Empirical relationships between cloud ice water path and their infrared absorption optical thickness are derived. These relationships are obtained using direct radiometric measurements of ice cloud optical thickness in the infrared atmospheric transparency 'window' 10 - 11.4 micrometer and values of ice water path retrieved from the combined radar and radiometer measurements. Cloud particle bulk density and their characteristic size have a major influence on the correspondence between cloud optical thickness and ice water path. The relationships were obtained for several observational cases during the FIRE-II and ASTEX experiments and reflect vertical structure of cloud microphysical parameters. These results can be used for modeling longwave radiative impact of ice clouds.