Marine stratus observed: DYCOMS-II

Dr. Gabor Vali

Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Wyoming

Observations during July 2001 over the subtropical, east-central Pacific Ocean yielded excellent data on the characteristics of the marine boundary layer and on the structure of the associated stratus clouds. These clouds play a major role in determining the Earth's albedo and hence its climate.  One of the main goals of the observations was to evaluate the rate of entrainment of air from above the boundary layer. This goal was addressed with airflow and tracer measurement, following
new strategies. Another set of objectives focussed on drizzle.  Issues related to drizzle are: the role of drizzle on the water budget within the boundary layer, the processes of drizzle formation and the ways drizzle participates in the maintenance of the boundary layer structure.  A third set of measurement objectives relate to cloud chemistry and condensation nuclei.

The observations were carried out with the C-130 aircraft of NCAR.  The Wyoming Cloud Radar was mounted on the aircraft in a dual-antenna mode. Early analyses of DYCOMS data will be presented.