A feasibility study of cloud base height remote sensing by simulating ground-based thermal infrared brightness temperature measurements

作者：Zhang Wen Xing^*; Lu Da Ren; Chang You Li

来源：Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 2007, 50(2): 354-363.

• cloud
• cloud base height
• infrared brightness temperature
• ground-based remote sensing
• radiative transfer code

We attempt to study the feasibility of cloud base height (CBH) remote sensing by ground-based sky thermal infrared brightness temperature (Tb) observation and quantitative effects of the aerosol layer on it. Using the Modtran4.0 model simulation, the variations of Tb with zenith angle of observation for different types of aerosol and different visibilities under clear and cloudy sky conditions were systematically investigated. Based on the simulated results, the statistic equations for clear and cloudy sky Tb calculation were obtained respectively, and then a preliminary method of CBH estimation was developed. The results of simulation and preliminary experiments show that for low and middle clouds, the sky Th observed on the ground is very sensitive to the variation of CBH, therefore it can be used to estimate CBH. The influence of aerosol (visibilities and aerosol types) above the ground on the sky Th cannot be neglected, which must be corrected. Because the regularity of aerosol's influence on Th with different zenith angles is fairly clear, it can be corrected well.

• 出版日期2007-3
• 单位云南大学; 中国科学院大气物理研究所