A fundamental test of the representation of clouds in models is evaluating the simulation of present-day climate against available observations. Satellite retrievals of cloud properties provide an attractive baseline for this evaluation because they can provide near global coverage and long records. However, comparisons of ...

This dissertation investigates the structure of atmospheric warming in observations and general circulation models (GCMs). Theory and GCMs suggest that warming is amplified in the tropical upper troposphere relative to the lower troposphere and the surface -- a phenomenon known as vertical amplification. We assess model and ...

Tropical cirrus cloud properties from elastic backscatter lidars--- namely the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program's ground-based micropulse lidars (MPL) and the spaceborne Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) lidar--- are examined. The MPL detects significantly less cirrus ...

Snowmelt in mountains is an important part of the water and energy cycles and provides water for 1/6th of the world's population. The downwelling irradiances are the primary drivers of this melt, however, they are rarely observed. The use of estimated irradiances, few observations, lack of evaluation of alternative sources ...

Snowmelt in mountains is an important part of the water and energy cycles and provides water for 1/6th of the world's population. The downwelling irradiances are the primary drivers of this melt, however, they are rarely observed. The use of estimated irradiances, few observations, lack of evaluation of alternative sources ...