The First Global Insight of Cirrus Clouds Characterized by Hollow Ice Crystals From Space‐Borne Lidar

作者：Xuanhao Zhu, Zhenzhu Wang, Dong Liu, Hongke Cai · 发表于：Geophysical Research Letters · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1029/2024gl109852 · 被引用次数：8 · 研究领域：Atmospheric aerosols and clouds、Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols、Atmospheric Ozone and Climate

Abstract Cirrus clouds often contain numerous hollow ice crystals, which are distinct in scattering properties from solid ice crystals, and will be challenging to microphysical retrieval and radiative forcing assessment. Currently, hollow ice crystals have not been observed by remote sensing methods, and the estimation of their hollowness is a complex task. To address this issue, the Mixed Modal Hollow Columns (MMHC) model for hollow ice crystals is introduced, and its backscattering properties are computed using the physical optics approximation method. Through comparison with spaceborne lidar observations, we identify a specific type of cirrus associated with the MMHC model for the first time. The visible optical depth of this cirrus is less than or equal to 0.1, and the temperature is between −60 and −40°C. The MMHC characteristic cirrus clouds are prevalent in middle and high latitudes but less common in low latitudes. They exhibit distinct patterns in terms of sea and land distribution as well as seasonal variation.