Publication Abstracts

Naud et al. 2018

Naud, C.M., J.F. Booth, and F. Lamraoui, 2018: Post cold frontal clouds at the ARM Eastern North Atlantic site: An examination of the relationship between large-scale environment and low-level cloud properties. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 123, no. 21, 12117-12132, doi:10.1029/2018JD029015.

Using cloud and environment observations from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program Eastern North Atlantic site and an automated cold front detection routine, cloud properties in post-cold front (PCF) periods are examined and compared to similar conditions of subsidence (non-PCF). PCF periods exhibit stronger subsidence and wind speed than non-PCF periods, with weaker inversions and stronger surface temperature contrasts. Low-level clouds are predominant and are found to have higher cloud-base and top heights, colder cloud-top temperature, as well as greater vertical extent and liquid water path during PCF than non-PCF periods. The environmental metric that is best correlated with cloud boundaries for both PCF and non-PCF periods is the difference in potential temperature between the sea surface and 800 hPa, a parameter used to locate cold air outbreak conditions. However, the cloud vertical extent and liquid water path are found to be better correlated with sea-air temperature contrast, a parameter related to turbulent surface fluxes. The strength of the relationships between the cloud characteristics and these metrics does not differ for PCF and non-PCF periods. However, the strength of the metrics differs between PCF and non-PCF periods and can explain cloud property differences. The results suggest both the properties of the boundary layer and the presence of an upper-level cyclone associated with the cold front determine PCF cloud properties.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{na02400q,
  author={Naud, C. M. and Booth, J. F. and Lamraoui, F.},
  title={Post cold frontal clouds at the ARM Eastern North Atlantic site: An examination of the relationship between large-scale environment and low-level cloud properties},
  year={2018},
  journal={Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres},
  volume={123},
  number={21},
  pages={12117--12132},
  doi={10.1029/2018JD029015},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - na02400q
AU  - Naud, C. M.
AU  - Booth, J. F.
AU  - Lamraoui, F.
PY  - 2018
TI  - Post cold frontal clouds at the ARM Eastern North Atlantic site: An examination of the relationship between large-scale environment and low-level cloud properties
JA  - J. Geophys. Res. Atmos.
JO  - Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
VL  - 123
IS  - 21
SP  - 12117
EP  - 12132
DO  - 10.1029/2018JD029015
ER  -

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