Comparative Analysis of Orographic Cirrus Clouds over Major Mountainous Regions Using Satellite Observations.
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| Title: | Comparative Analysis of Orographic Cirrus Clouds over Major Mountainous Regions Using Satellite Observations. |
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| Authors: | Hu, Xiaoyu1 (AUTHOR) huxy2023@pku.edu.cn, Du, Tao2 (AUTHOR), Wang, Leyi1,3 (AUTHOR), Zuo, Yuanyuan1,4 (AUTHOR), Du, Jiajing1,2 (AUTHOR), Wang, Chen2,3 (AUTHOR), Han, Zihang3,4 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Remote Sensing. Jun2026, Vol. 18 Issue 11, p1701. 19p. |
| Subjects: | Cirrus clouds, Satellite-based remote sensing, Spatial variation, Alpine regions, Radiative forcing, Orographic clouds, Atmospheric circulation |
| Geographic Terms: | Andes, Rocky Mountains, Himalaya Mountains, Alps |
| Abstract: | Highlights: What are the main findings? Satellite observations reveal clear regional differences in the occurrence and vertical structure of orographic cirrus over the Rocky Mountains, Andes, Alps, and Himalayas. Orographic cirrus over the Andes exhibits higher cloud top heights and thinner optical properties, while the other mountainous regions show more compact vertical structures and larger ice water paths. What are the implications of the main findings? The formation and properties of orographic cirrus are strongly modulated by regional topography, large-scale circulation, and convective activity. These results highlight that the radiative influence of cirrus over mountainous regions can vary substantially across different climatic and dynamical environments. Orographic cirrus clouds frequently occur over mountainous regions and can influence the radiative balance of the upper troposphere, yet their characteristics and regional variability remain insufficiently understood on a global scale. In this study, we investigate the occurrence, vertical structure, and microphysical and optical properties of orographic cirrus over four major mountainous regions, namely the Rocky Mountains, the Andes, the Alps, and the Himalayas, using the Identification and Classification of Cirrus (IC-CIR) framework together with satellite observations from MODIS, CloudSat, and CALIPSO. The results reveal clear regional differences in both occurrence and structure. Cloud cover is higher over the Himalayas and the Alps and lower over the Andes, while seasonal variability is strongest over the Himalayas and the Alps and weakest over the Andes. In terms of vertical structure, cirrus over the Andes reaches higher cloud tops and exhibits a bimodal distribution. The Andes also show smaller values of ice water path, optical depth, and cirrus reflectance. These results provide a unified comparison of orographic cirrus clouds across four representative major mountainous regions and highlight substantial regional differences in their characteristics and potential radiative influence under different topographic and dynamical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Highlights: What are the main findings? Satellite observations reveal clear regional differences in the occurrence and vertical structure of orographic cirrus over the Rocky Mountains, Andes, Alps, and Himalayas. Orographic cirrus over the Andes exhibits higher cloud top heights and thinner optical properties, while the other mountainous regions show more compact vertical structures and larger ice water paths. What are the implications of the main findings? The formation and properties of orographic cirrus are strongly modulated by regional topography, large-scale circulation, and convective activity. These results highlight that the radiative influence of cirrus over mountainous regions can vary substantially across different climatic and dynamical environments. Orographic cirrus clouds frequently occur over mountainous regions and can influence the radiative balance of the upper troposphere, yet their characteristics and regional variability remain insufficiently understood on a global scale. In this study, we investigate the occurrence, vertical structure, and microphysical and optical properties of orographic cirrus over four major mountainous regions, namely the Rocky Mountains, the Andes, the Alps, and the Himalayas, using the Identification and Classification of Cirrus (IC-CIR) framework together with satellite observations from MODIS, CloudSat, and CALIPSO. The results reveal clear regional differences in both occurrence and structure. Cloud cover is higher over the Himalayas and the Alps and lower over the Andes, while seasonal variability is strongest over the Himalayas and the Alps and weakest over the Andes. In terms of vertical structure, cirrus over the Andes reaches higher cloud tops and exhibits a bimodal distribution. The Andes also show smaller values of ice water path, optical depth, and cirrus reflectance. These results provide a unified comparison of orographic cirrus clouds across four representative major mountainous regions and highlight substantial regional differences in their characteristics and potential radiative influence under different topographic and dynamical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 20724292 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/rs18111701 |
