Arctic cloudiness in spring from satellite imagery

• Published in: Journal of Climatology
• Main Authors: Barry, R. G., Crane, R. G., Schweiger, A., Newell, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1987
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.3370070502; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjoc.3370070502; https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/joc.3370070502

Abstract Maps of cloud cover over the Arctic have been prepared from manual interpretation of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program images at 3‐day intervals for April, May and June, 1979,1980. Additional maps were prepared for selected dates to give a 10‐day sample for each of eight synoptic MSL pressure pattern types over the same area. Synoptic and monthly cloud distributions are compared with previous estimates. A large bias in our low cloud estimates for April may be caused by springtime Arctic have layers. The identification of substantial geographical and interannual variability of cloud amounts suggests that synoptic controls are important at this season.