Analysis of Aircraft Measurements of Cirrus Cloud Properties
over the Tropical Western Pacifi for a Climate Model Experiement
Researcher: Alicia M. Jones
Mentor: Dr. Everette Joseph
Dept. of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Howard University
The Great Climate Debate and Our Changing Climate are two articles that reflect
the growing concern over the enhanced greenhouse effect (global warming) and how
pollutants are harming our environment. It is believed that anthropogenic
trace gas concentrations, which has been occurring since the pre-industrial
period, is the primary cause of the observed increase in the global mean
atmospherics temperature observed over the same period. Atmospheric scientists
use global climate models to investigate this issue. The models, however, are
limited in their ability to properly represent all the processes in the
climate system, and thus produce results with many uncertainties. Cloud
processes, particularly those of high clouds, are among the least understood
and thus poorly represented processess in climate models.
This project is being conducted in support of research to improve the
representatin of high cirrus cloud infrared radiative properties in climate
models. Specifically, cloud properties derived from aircraft measurements over
the Tropical Western Pacific are processed and analyzed for a model validation
experiment. The results of this experiment shoud provide further insight
into the role of cirrus clouds in climate change.
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