A new satellite deep convective ice index for tropical climate monitoring: Possible implications for existing oceanic precipitation data sets

Robertson, Franklin R.; Spencer, Roy W.; Fitzjarrald, D. E.

doi:10.1029/2000gl011892

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Both of the TMI‐based passive algorithms [ Wilheit et al , 1991; Kummerow et al , 2001] exhibit a tendency toward elevated (depressed) rainfall in association with warmer (colder) SST anomalies. This is consistent with the behavior noted in other passive microwave data sets by Robertson et al [2001]. In contrast, the TRMM PR anomalies are of weaker amplitude and have essentially no correlation with SST changes.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…with the correlation between the two time series at 0.80. This level of agreement is similar to that found by Robertson et al [2001] between two passive microwave algorithms-one based on scattering and the other on emission. Physically, one would expect the abundance of ice and precipitation rates at 6 km to be strongly related to attenuating rain below the freezing level since deep convection dominates contributions by warm rain processes.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Soden [2000] has noted that in contemporary climate models run with specified SST, precipitation variations averaged over the tropical oceans seem much smaller in amplitude than those of satellite estimates. Robertson et al [2001] showed that substantial disagreement exists among contemporary satellite estimates of interannual variations in tropical rainfall that are associated with SST changes. Berg et al [2002] have documented the distinct differences between precipitation structure over the eastern and western Pacific ITCZ and noted how various satellite precipitation algorithms may respond quite differently to ENSO modulations of these precipitation regimes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of uncertainty in TRMM precipitation radar path integrated attenuation on interannual variations of tropical oceanic rainfall

Robertson

Fitzjarrald

Kummerow

2003

Geophysical Research Letters

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[1] Considerable uncertainty surrounds the issue of whether precipitation over the tropical oceans (30°N/S) systematically changes with interannual sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies that accompany El Nino (warm) and La Nina (cold) events. Time series of rainfall estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) over the tropical oceans show marked differences with estimates from two TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) passive microwave algorithms. We show that path-integrated attenuation derived from the effects of precipitation on the radar return from the ocean surface exhibits interannual variability that agrees closely with the TMI time series. Our analysis of discrepancies between the PR rainfall and attenuation suggests that uncertainty in the assumed drop size distribution and associated attenuation/reflectivity/rainfall relationships inherent in single-frequency radar methods is a serious issue for studies of interannual variability.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of uncertainty in TRMM precipitation radar path integrated attenuation on interannual variations of tropical oceanic rainfall

Robertson

Fitzjarrald

Kummerow

2003

Geophysical Research Letters

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Observations of the Global Water Cycle – Satellites

Robertson

2005

Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences

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Satellite observations of Earth's climate system have evolved dramatically since the first crude video images of cloud cover taken over 40 years ago. Today, spaceborne measurements of precipitation, cloud attributes, radiative fluxes, and surface properties make crucial contributions to monitoring key processes and the evolving state of the planet's hydrologic cycle. We illustrate how this maturing capability has enabled study of the hydrologic cycle in a global context that goes beyond consideration of local or regional water balance. Remote sensing has become a key technology for addressing such interdisciplinary questions as whether the global hydrologic cycle is changing and if so how? What key processes linking the atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere are at play, and what are the prospects for predicting extreme hydrologic events of significant societal impact? The discussion is motivated first by considering these key science problems. Following a brief overview of key remote sensing concepts, we then survey existing capabilities to determine various quantities such as precipitation, evaporation, soil moisture, turbulent fluxes, cloud cover, water vapor, and the links to radiative fluxes. Both successes and persisting challenges are discussed. An assessment of where we stand in developing an integrated picture of the hydrologic cycle and climate is presented, along with anticipated improvements in the future measurements. In the context of climate, we demonstrate that in spite of substantial improvements in determining hydrologic variables and processes from space, some key challenges remain. Our examination here of signals in precipitation, evaporation, and radiative fluxes suggests that at present we can detect regional patterns of interannual variability with considerable skill; we can resolve globally integrated signals with only modest certainty; and for the most part, we have little confidence yet in decadal changes or trends. Nevertheless, the situation is encouraging because in many cases these retrievals have been done without regard to intercalibration of sensor data streams, and in the case of operational retrievals, algorithm modifications which result in spurious trends. Careful reprocessing is likely to yield substantial benefits. Future planned missions with active remote sensing at 94 GHz (CloudSat) and interferometric measurements at 1.4 GHz promise to expand our knowledge of hydrologic processes of crucial importance to climate.

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The climate-archive dune: Sedimentary record of annual wind intensity

Lindhorst

Betzler

2016

Geology

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Active dunes contain an unread high-resolution archive of past wind strength. Variations in the grain-size spectrum of an active dune through time are compared with historical time series of wind speed. Annually averaged, sediment-derived wind intensity and instrumental records of wind speed show a correlation as high as 0.75. The potential of eolian dunes to gain long-term data series of wind intensity in areas and for time periods lacking an instrumental record is demonstrated by reconstructing 20th century wind-intensity variations in the southern North Sea area. The approach can be used in both recent and fossil dune systems. Potential applications include the validation of climate models, the reconstruction of supraregional wind systems, and the monitoring of future shifts in the climate system.

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A new satellite deep convective ice index for tropical climate monitoring: Possible implications for existing oceanic precipitation data sets

Cited by 5 publications

References 17 publications

Effects of uncertainty in TRMM precipitation radar path integrated attenuation on interannual variations of tropical oceanic rainfall

Effects of uncertainty in TRMM precipitation radar path integrated attenuation on interannual variations of tropical oceanic rainfall

Observations of the Global Water Cycle – Satellites

The climate-archive dune: Sedimentary record of annual wind intensity

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