Describing Seasonal Mixtures of Cloud Regimes via “Regimes of Regimes”

• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-24-0275.1
• Publication Date: 2025-01-22T15:28:26Z
• Authors: Nayeong Cho; Lazaros Oreopoulos; Dongmin Lee; Jackson Tan; Daeho Jin

Abstract We propose a new type of cloud classification, relevant to monthly or longer time scales, but which inherently still encompasses subgrid variability information at ~100 km scales. Our proposed classification partitions frequencies occurrence over these scales previously defined regimes (CRs). call the resulting distinct entities (RORs). While CRs have been shown successfully classify daily mesoscale via distributions fraction within combinations top pressure and optical thickness, RORs essentially represent prevalent seasonal mixtures CRs. thus embody cloudiness region. show that each ROR can be associated with more traditional classifications composites coincident active (lidar radar) views. In first application gauges potential utility RORs, we pair them CERES EBAF radiative fluxes gain insight into recent trends effect. The corresponding an environment shallow convection stands out in this analysis largely because its declining population. study demonstrates categorize globally monthly/seasonal serve as proxies different atmospheric states