Abstract The Goddard profiling algorithm has evolved from a pseudoparametric used in the current TRMM operational product (GPROF 2010) to fully parametric approach operationally GPM era 2014). uses Bayesian inversion for all surface types. thus abandons rainfall screening procedures and instead full brightness temperature vector obtain most likely precipitation state. This paper offers complete description of GPROF 2010 2014 algorithms assesses sensitivity assumptions related channel...

Cloud and atmospheric properties strongly influence the mass energy budgets of Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS). To address critical gaps in understanding these systems, a new suite cloud- atmosphere-observing instruments has been installed on central GIS as part Integrated Characterization Energy, Clouds, Atmospheric State, Precipitation at Summit (ICECAPS) project. During first 20 months operation, this complementary active passive ground-based sensors radiosondes provided unique perspectives...

Abstract A dataset consisting of one year CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) near-surface radar reflectivity Z associated with dry snowfall is examined in this study. The CPR observations are converted to rates S using derived Ze–S relationships, which were created from backscatter cross sections various nonspherical and spherical ice particle models. histograms show that the dominant mode global has extremely light values (∼3–4 dBZe), an estimated 94% all less than 10 dBZe. average...

Abstract A combined active/passive modeling system that converts CloudSat observations to simulated microwave brightness temperatures (TB) is used assess different ice particle models under precipitating conditions. Simulation results indicate certain (e.g., low-density spheres) produce excessive scattering and implausibly low TBs for stratiform precipitation events owing derived water paths (IWPs), while other unphysical TB depressions due the effects of elevated IWP size...

[1] Backscattering and extinction properties of various snow particle models are studied for three typical cloud radar frequency ranges, namely Ku band, Ka W both in terms their individual scattering as well averaged over size distributions. Models include soft spheres, randomly oriented pristine nonspherical particles complex aggregates, horizontally aligned spheroids. It is shown that the concurrent use Ku/Ka band Ka/W dual wavelength ratios (DWR) allows a separation different habits....

Abstract Retrievals of falling snow from space-based observations represent key inputs for understanding and linking Earth’s atmospheric, hydrological, energy cycles. This work quantifies investigates causes differences among the first stable retrieval products Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory satellite CloudSat ’s Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) product. An important part this analysis details challenges associated with comparing various GPM estimates arising different...

Abstract The first observationally based near-global shallow cumuliform snowfall census is undertaken using multiyear CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar observations. observations and rate estimates from the 2C-Snow Water Content Snowfall Rate (2C-SNOW-PROFILE) product are partitioned between nimbostratus cloud structures by utilizing coincident category classifications 2B-Cloud Scenario Classification (2B-CLDCLASS) product. Shallow (nimbostratus) events comprise about 36% (59%) of in dataset....

Abstract This study analyzes the influence of marine cold‐air outbreaks (MCAO) on snowfall and cloud properties in North Atlantic Ocean using CloudSat observations. Comparing reanalysis‐determined MCAO conditions (low‐level instability) against “non‐CAO” conditions, we find that are associated with predominantly light rates (<2 mm day −1 liquid water equivalent) whereas non‐CAO more frequently higher rates. Near sources, such as sea ice or cold continents, MCAO‐forced tend to be frequent...

Abstract An observation-based study is presented that utilizes aircraft data from the 2003 Wakasa Bay Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer Precipitation Validation Campaign to assess recent advances in modeling of microwave scattering properties nonspherical ice particles atmosphere. Previous work has suggested a triple-frequency (Ku–Ka–W band) reflectivity framework appears capable identifying key microphysical snow, potentially providing much-needed constraints on significant sources...

Abstract A new method to derive radar reflectivity–snow rate (Ze–S) relationships from scattering properties of different ice particle models is presented. Three statistical Ze–i are derived characterize the best estimate and uncertainties due habit. The applied CloudSat data near-surface snowfall retrievals. Other various choices, such as vertical continuity tests, reflectivity threshold used for choosing cases, correcting attenuation, also explored on a regional zonally averaged basis....

The sensitivity of Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) high-frequency channels to snowfall at higher latitudes (around 60°N/S) is investigated using coincident CloudSat observations. 166 GHz channel highlighted throughout the study due its ice scattering and polarization information. analysis three case studies evidences important combined role total precipitable water (TPW), supercooled cloud water, background surface composition on brightness temperature (TB)...

Abstract Using a 3-yr Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) Ku-band Radar (KuPR) dataset, snow features (SFs) are defined by grouping the contiguous area of nonzero solid precipitation. The near-surface wet bulb temperatures calculated from ERA-Interim reanalysis data used to verify that SFs colder than 1°C omit snowfall melts before reaching surface. properties summarized understand global distribution and characteristics systems. seasonal diurnal variations their analyzed over Northern...

Remote-sensing observations are needed to estimate the regional and global impacts of snow. However, retrieve accurate estimates snow mass rate, these require augmentation through additional information assumptions about hydrometeor properties. The Precipitation Imaging Package (PIP) provides precipitation characteristics can be utilized improve snowfall rate accumulation. Here, goal is demonstrate quality utility two higher-order PIP-derived products: liquid water equivalent an...

Abstract Spaceborne radars provide near‐global observations of clouds and precipitation, but ground clutter can result in a satellite radar blind zone as high 2 km above the surface. As result, may underestimate snowfall from shallow incorrectly flag snow virga at Ground‐based invaluable tools to assess precipitation. This study investigates regimes using 2011 2021 Department Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement North Slope Alaska atmospheric observatory. Snowfall events identified...

Surface‐based temperature inversions (SBIs) are studied at Summit Station in central Greenland during the period spanning July 2010 to May 2012. The frequency and intensity of SBI examined using microwave radiometer (MWR) retrievals, radiosonde profiles, near‐surface meteorological data. Using MWRs' high temporal resolution, diurnal, monthly, annual cycles investigated. Monthly mean values occurrence show that surface‐based prevalent winter with decreasing summer months. A case study on 20...

Cumuliform snowfall seasonal variability is studied using a multi‐year CloudSat rate and cloud classification retrieval dataset. Microwave radiometer sea ice concentration datasets are also utilized to illustrate the intimate link between oceanic cumuliform production decreased coverage. Three metrics calculated signatures: (a) frequency of occurrence, (b) mean rate, (c) fraction attributed events. Distinct cycles observed over Northern Hemispheric oceans. occurrence (mean rate) peaks in...

Satellites have provided decades of valuable cloud observations, but the data from conventional passive radiometers are biased toward information at or near top. Tied with Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Cloud Calibration/Validation research, we developed a statistical Base Height (CBH) algorithm using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) A-Train satellite data. This retrieval, which is currently part Oceanic Atmospheric...

This paper describes a new algorithm that is able to detect snowfall and retrieve the associated snow water path (SWP), for any surface type, using Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI). The tuned evaluated against coincident observations of Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) onboard CloudSat. It composed three modules (i) detection, (ii) supercooled droplet detection (iii) SWP retrieval. takes into account environmental conditions does not rely on classification scheme....

Abstract Presented are four winter seasons of data from an enhanced precipitation instrument suite based at the National Weather Service (NWS) Office in Marquette (MQT), Michigan (250–500 cm annual snow accumulation). In 2014 site was augmented with a Micro Rain Radar (MRR) and Precipitation Imaging Package (PIP). MRR observations utilized to partition large-scale synoptically driven (deep) surface-forced (shallow) events. Coincident PIP NWS MQT meteorological surface illustrate different...

Abstract In this study, we present a new module for the Snow retrievaL ALgorithm fOr gMi (SLALOM) that retrieves surface snowfall rate using Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager measurements together with humidity and temperature vertical profiles. This module, named Surface Snowfall Rate Module, is tuned colocated observations of Cloud Profiling Radar onboard CloudSat. Using SLALOM algorithm able to predict relative bias −13%, root‐mean‐square error 0.08 mm/hr,...