The MLS Cloud Ice Product
Basic Information
Cloud ice water content (IWC) is defined as cloud ice mass in unit volume of atmospheric air. It can vary largely from 0.0001 g/m3 in thin cirrus to 1 g/m3 inside convective core. The vertically integrated column of IWC is ice water path (IWP). |
Illustration of MLS cloud ice
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How it is part of MLS Science Objectives
Clouds are a major source of uncertainty in understanding climate change of our home planet. Important to cloud radiative and hydrological properties, IWC is the key variable that connects cloud macrophysical
and microphysical (such as ice particle sizes and shapes) properties. MLS cloud ice measurements can be used to reduce uncertainties in climate model parameterizations so that cloud physics/processes can be better represented.
MLS IWC has units of g/m^3.
How EOS MLS derives IWC
The standard product for IWC is retrieved from the 240 GHz cloud-induced radiances (Tcir) at 215 - 68 hPa. The IWC- Tcir relation is calculated using a radiative transfer model where ice particle size distribution is prescribed based on in-situ data. The modeled IWC-Tcir relation forms the basis of the operational IWC retrieval, which converts Tcir directly to IWC without any inversion.
The MLS IWC represents an average quantity over the volume of ~300 x 7 x 4 km3 (length, width, height) near the tangent point of each Tcir measurement. Cloud inhomogeneity and assumptions about particle size distribution are largest uncertainties. Averaging MLS IWC data (e.g. monthly) helps to reduce some of the inhomogeneity-induced uncertainties but the uncertainties induced by particle size assumptions (~100%) cannot be reduced.
Quick Product Information for data version v2.2
- Swath Name: IWC
- Vertical Resolution: ~3 km
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- Useful Range: 215 - 83 hPa
- DAAC Short Name: ML2IWC
- Precision: 0.06-1.3 mg/m3 for 215-83 hPa
- Accuracy: TBD
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Publications related to the MLS IWC data product
Future Publications
- Hocking, J., C.P. Davis, "MLS Ice Water Content and Horizontally Finite Clouds", Not yet published. Preprint
- Hocking, J., C.P. Davis, "MLS Ice Water Content and Horizontally Finite Clouds", Not yet published. Preprint
- Jiang, J.H., H. Su, S. Pawson, H.C. Liu, W. Read, J.W. Waters, M. Santee, D.L. Wu, M. Schwartz, N. Livesey, A. Lambert, R. Fuller, J.N. Lee, "Five-year (2004-2009) Observations of Upper Tropospheric Water Vapor and Cloud Ice from MLS and Comparisons with GEOS-5 analyses", Not yet published. Preprint
- Luo, M., C. Boxe, J.H. Jiang, R. Nassar, N. Livesey, "Interpretation of Aura Satellite Observations of CO and
Aerosol Index related to the December 2006 Australia Fires", Not yet published. Preprint
2009
- Wu, D.L., R. Austin, S. Durden, A. Heymsfield, J.H. Jiang, A. Lambert, J. Li, N.J. Livesey, G. McFarquhar, J. Pittman, G. Stephens, S. Tanelli, D. Vane, D. Waliser, "Comparisons of Global Cloud Ice from MLS, CloudSat, and Correlative Data Sets", vol 113, 2009. Reprint
- Su, H., J.H. Jiang, G.L. Stephens, D.G. Vane, N.J. Livesey, "Radiative effects of upper tropospheric clouds observed by Aura MLS and CloudSat", vol 36, pgs. L09815, 2009. Reprint
- Waliser, D.E., J.F. Li, C.P. Woods, R.T. Austin, J. Bacmeister, J. Chern, A. Del Genio, J.H. Jiang, Z. Kuang, H. Meng, P. Minnis, S. Platnick, W. B Rossow, G. L Stephens, S. Sun-Mack, W-K. Tao, A.M. Tompkins, D.G. Vane, C. Walker, D. Wu, "Cloud ice: A climate model challenge with signs and expectations of progress", vol 114, pgs. D00A21, 2009. Reprint
- Jiang, J.H., H. Su, S.T. Massie, P.R. Colarco, M.R. Schoeberl, S. Platnick, "Aerosol-CO relationship and aerosol effect on Ice cloud particle size: Analyses from Aura Microwave Limb Sounder and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer observations", vol 114, pgs. D20207, 2009. Reprint
- Tao, W-K., J-D. Chern, D.D. Randall, M. Khairoutdinov, J-L. Li, D.E. Waliser, A. Hou, X. Lin, C. Peters-Lidard, W. Lau, J. Jiang, J. Simpson, "A Multiscaling Modeling System Developments, Applications, and Critical issues", vol 90, num 4, pgs. 515-534, 2009. Reprint
2008
- Wu, D.L., J.H. Jiang, W.G. Read, R.T. Austin, C.P. Davis, A. Lambert, G.L. Stephens, D.G. Vane, J.W. Waters, "Validation of the Aura MLS Cloud Ice Water Content (IWC) Measurements", vol 113, 2008. Reprint
- Eriksson, P., M. Ekstrom, B. Rydberg, D.L. Wu, R.T. Austin, D.P. Murtagh, "Comparison between the first Odin-SMR, Aura MLS and CloudSat retrievals of cloud ice mass in the upper tropical troposphere", vol 8, pgs. 1937-1948, 2008. Reprint
- Su, H., J.H. Jiang, Y. Gu, J.D. Neelin, B.H. Kahn, D. Feldman, Y.L. Yung, J.W. Waters, N.J. Livesey, M.L. Santee, W.G. Read, "Variations of tropical upper tropospheric clouds with sea surface temperature and implications for radiative effects", vol 113, pgs. D10211, 2008. Reprint
- Jiang, J.H., H. Su, M. Schoeberl, S.T. Massie, P. Colarco, S. Platnick, N. Livesey, "Clean and polluted clouds: relationships among pollution, ice cloud and precipitation in South America", vol 35, pgs. L14804, 2008. Reprint
- Wu, D.L., H.M. Pickett, N.J. Livesey, "Aura MLS THz observations of global cirrus near the tropopause", vol 35, pgs. L15803, 2008. Reprint
- Su, H., J.H. Jiang, D.G. Vane, G.L. Stephens, "Observed Vertical Structure of Tropical Oceanic Clouds Sorted in Large-scale Regimes ", vol 35, 2008. Reprint
- Ekstrom, M., P. Eriksson, "Altitude resolved ice-fraction in the uppermost tropical troposphere", vol 35, pgs. L13822, 2008. Reprint
2007
- Davis, C.P., H.C. Pumphrey, K.F. Evans, S. Buehler, D.L. Wu, "3D polarised simulations of space-borne passive mm/sub-mm midlatitude cirrus observations: A case study", vol 7, pgs. 4149-4158, 2007. Reprint
- Kahn, B.H., A. Eldering, A.J. Braverman, E.J. Fetzer, J.H. Jiang, E. Fishbein, D.L. Wu, "Towards the characterization of upper tropospheric clouds using AIRS and MLS observations", vol 112, pgs. D05202, 2007. Reprint
- Li, J-L., J.H. Jiang, D.E. Waliser, A.M. Tompkins, "Assessing Consistency between EOS MLS and ECMWF Analyzed and Forecast Estimates of Cloud Ice", vol 34, pgs. L08701, 2007. Reprint Supplemental
- Liu, C., "Geographical and seasonal distribution of tropical tropopause thin clouds and their relation to deep convection and water vapor viewed from satellite measurements", vol 112, pgs. D09205, 2007. Reprint
- Eriksson, P., M. Ekstrom, B. Rydberg, D.P. Murtagh, "First Odin sub-mm retrievals in the tropical upper troposphere: ice cloud properties", vol 7, pgs. 471-483, 2007. Reprint
2006
- Wu, D.L., J.H. Jiang, C.P. Davis, "EOS MLS cloud ice measurements and cloudy-sky radiative transfer model", vol 44, num no. 5, pgs. 1156-1165, 2006. Reprint
- Cofield, R.E., P.C. Stek, "Design and field-of-view calibration of 114-660 GHz optics of the Earth Observing System Microwave Limb Sounder", vol 44, num no. 5, pgs. 1166-1181, 2006. Reprint
- Fu, R., Y. Hu, J.S. Wright, J.H. Jiang, R.E. Dickinson, M. Chen, M. Filipiak, W.G. Read, J.W. Waters, D.L. Wu, "Short circuit of water vapor and polluted air to the global stratosphere by convective transport over the Tibetan Plateau", vol 103, pgs. 5664-5669, 2006. Reprint
- Su, H., W.G. Read, J.H. Jiang, J.W. Waters, D.L. Wu, E.J. Fetzer, "Enhanced positive water vapor feedback associated with tropical deep convection: New evidence from Aura MLS", vol 33, pgs. L05709, 2006. Reprint
- Su, H., D.E. Waliser, J.H. Jiang, J-L. Li, W.G. Read, J.W. Waters, A.M. Tompkins, "Relationships of upper tropospheric water vapor, clouds and SST: MLS observations, ECMWF analyses and GCM simulations", vol 33, pgs. L22802, 2006. Reprint
2005
- Davis, C., C. Emde, R. Harwood, "A 3D polarized reversed Monte Carlo radiative transfer model for mm and sub-mm passive remote sensing in cloudy atmospheres", vol 43, num no. 5, pgs. 1096-1101, 2005. Reprint Summary
- Davis, C.P., D.L. Wu, C. Emde, J.H. Jiang, R.E. Cofield, R.S. Harwood, "Cirrus Induced Polarization in 122 GHz Aura Microwave Limb Sounder Radiances", vol 32, pgs. L14806, 2005. Reprint Summary
- Li, J-L., D.E. Waliser, J.H. Jiang, D.L. Wu, W.G. Read, J.W. Waters, A.M. Tompkins, L.J. Donner, J-D. Chern, W-K. Tao, R. Atlas, Y. Gu, K.N. Liou, A. Del Genio, M. Khairoutdinov, A. Gettleman, "Comparisons of EOS MLS Cloud Ice Measurements with ECMWF analyses and GCM Simulations: Initial Results", vol 32, pgs. L18710, 2005. Reprint Summary
- Wu, D.L., W.G. Read, A.E. Dessler, S.C. Sherwood, J.H. Jiang, "UARS MLS Cloud Ice Measurements and Implications for H2O Transport near the Tropopause", vol 62, pgs. 518-530, 2005. Reprint Summary
2004
- Jiang, J.H., B. Wang, K. Goya, K. Hocke, S.D. Eckermann, J. Ma, D.L. Wu, W.G. Read, "Geographical Distribution and Inter-Seasonal Variability of Tropical Deep Convection: UARS MLS Observations and Analyses", vol 109, pgs. D03111, 2004. Reprint Summary
- Jiang, J.H., D.L. Wu, "Ice and Water Permittivities for Millimeter and Sub-millimeter Remote Sensing Applications", vol 5, pgs. 146-151, 2004. Reprint Summary
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