Bispectral and brightness temperature difference analysis of 1991 FIRE cirrus IFO satellite data

We attempt to bound microphysical properties of cirrus clouds via complementary satellite, rawinsonde, and lidar data analysis and radiative transfer modeling. Data acquired during the 1991 FIRE (First ISSCP Regional Experiment) Cirrus IFO (intensive field operation) includes AVHRR (advanced very high resolution radiometer) LAC (local area coverage), satellite imagery, high temporal resolution rawinsonde data, and lidar backscatter and depolarization information. We use the complementary rawinsonde and lidar data to generate profiles of the atmosphere, to place clouds at the correct height, and to verify the complex mixed phase nature of high altitude cirrus. Using the DISORT radiative transfer model (Stamnes et al., 1988), we generate brightness temperatures for a range of optical depths for single- and/or multi-level cloud systems composed of water or ice spheres or ice hexagons.