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Zonal and geographical distributions of cirrus clouds determined from SAGE dataStratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) data obtained from February 1979-November 1981 are analyzed in order to evaluate the spatial extent and frequency occurrence of cirrus clouds. The capabilities of the SAGE measurement system which has a field of view of 100 sq km are discussed. The frequency of occurrence of the cirrus clouds and the frequency penetration of the clouds to fixed altitudes of 5, 7, and 9 km, and to altitudes of 1, 3 and 5 km below the troposphere are examined. It is observed that optically thick cirrus clouds form most frequently in the midlatitudes over the equator, with distinct minima near latitude bands of 20-30 deg north and south; height penetrations to 7 km occur 60 percent of the time in upper latitudes and drop to 30 percent over the tropics. The SAGE data are compared with selective chopper radiometer data and good correlation in shape and seasonal movement is displayed. The seasonal geographical distributions of cirrus clouds in regions of rising moist air associated with low-level convergence zones are described.
Document ID
19860045956
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Woodbury, G. E.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Mccormick, M. P.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 20, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 91
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
86A30694
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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