Lidar-Derived Distribution of Cloud Vertical Location and Extent

A. I. Carswell Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science and Department of Physics and Astronomy, York University, North York, Ontario, Canada

Search for other papers by A. I. Carswell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
A. Fong Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science and Department of Physics and Astronomy, York University, North York, Ontario, Canada

Search for other papers by A. Fong in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
S. R. Pal Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science and Department of Physics and Astronomy, York University, North York, Ontario, Canada

Search for other papers by S. R. Pal in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
I. Pribluda Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science and Department of Physics and Astronomy, York University, North York, Ontario, Canada

Search for other papers by I. Pribluda in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

We are aware of a technical issue preventing figures and tables from showing in some newly published articles in the full-text HTML view.
While we are resolving the problem, please use the online PDF version of these articles to view figures and tables.

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a statistical analysis of lidar-determined cloud geometrical properties measured during the 1989 and 1991 campaigns of the Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study. Useful lidar descriptors are introduced to specify the bottom-, top-, and midcloud altitudes. These are used to describe the behavior of cloud vertical location and vertical extent during several months of observations using a dual wavelength (1064 and 532 nm) Nd:YAG lidar at Toronto. Frequency distributions of cloud height and cloud thickness are presented and the relationship of the lidar descriptors to cloud properties are discussed. These data are compared with other information on cloud geometry available in the literature.

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a statistical analysis of lidar-determined cloud geometrical properties measured during the 1989 and 1991 campaigns of the Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study. Useful lidar descriptors are introduced to specify the bottom-, top-, and midcloud altitudes. These are used to describe the behavior of cloud vertical location and vertical extent during several months of observations using a dual wavelength (1064 and 532 nm) Nd:YAG lidar at Toronto. Frequency distributions of cloud height and cloud thickness are presented and the relationship of the lidar descriptors to cloud properties are discussed. These data are compared with other information on cloud geometry available in the literature.

Save