STUDY OF THE MARINE CLOUD STRUCTURE WITH AQUA AMSR-E

This study investigates the spatial structure of the total cloud liquid water content Q fields over the Northwest Pacific Ocean during winter monsoon. The distributions of Q have been estimated from the brightness temperatures of the ocean - atmosphere system $T_B(f)$, where f is frequency, measured by AQUA AMSR-E in January -March 2003. Marine strati (St) and stratocumuli (Sc) are typical for winter monsoon season. They were analysed using mainly high-frequency channel at f = 36.5 GHz, vertical polarisation. $T_B$ data were accompanied by the data on near surface wind speed, air temperature and humidity from the nearest meteorological stations. Tow one-dimensional spectra were computed for downwind and crosswind sections of Q fields. The AMSR-E antenna field of view (14-8 km) and the cloud field sizes (100-1000 km) restricted the spatial scales. The results of case study Jan 31 2003 are presented. Scale-invariant spectrum is typical. In the cases of extended St levels a spectral slope equals about -1.7, conforming to classical -5/3 of turbulence theory. For Sc cases the absolute magnitude of spectral slope is rather higher, as a rule. The value is about -2. In the case when cloud streets are presented, a strait line form of spectrum is less reliable with a slope being rather lower (about -1.4).