Cloud distribution in the Antarctic from satellite data

Abstract

Analyses of cloud distribution in the Antarctic using satellite data were reported. Data of three NOAA AVHRR channels, channels 3 (3.7μm), 4 (10.8μm) and 5 (12.0μm), received at Syowa Station, were used for the analyses. Brightness temperature differences of those channels were shown to be effective to detect clouds, and cloud amounts thus detected were derived for the area around Syowa Station. A large difference was found between the cloud amount over the continental ice sheet and that over the ocean. Compared to the cloud amounts determined from the surface measurements, cloud amounts from the temperature difference between channels 3 and 4 in summer showed good agreement; however, cloud amounts from channel 4 and 5 in summer and winter showed only vague agreement. Aided from the correlation coefficient between the brightness temperature difference between channels 4 and 5,and the brightness temperature of channel 4,cloud distributions over East Antarctica throughout the year were derived, and distribution characteristics were discussed.