Changes in satellite-based cloud parameters in the Baltic Sea region during spring and summer (1982–2015)

Abstract

The satellite-based cloud climate data record CLARA-A2 has been used to analyse regional average time-series and regional maps of trends in the Baltic Sea region, 1982–2015. The investigated cloud parameters were total fractional cloud cover and cloud top height. Cloud observations from the Tartu-Tõravere meteorological station were used as reference data for the same period. Fractional cloud cover from CLARA-A2 was in a good agreement with in situ data regarding the maxima and minima years and a downward trend in March over the 1982–2015 period. In June the fractional cloud cover interannual variability was very high and no clear trend was seen. For cloud top heights summer and spring regional averages showed opposite signs of the trend: for June positive and for March negative. Winter and autumn seasons have been left out of analysis due to too large uncertainties in cloud products over latitudes higher than 60∘.