An IR Sounding-Based Analysis of the Saharan Air Layer in North Africa
Date
2018Type of Work
16 pagesStill Image
conference papers and proceedings
presentations (communicative events)
Rights
This item may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. It is made available by UMBC for non-commercial research and education. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the author.Subjects
North Africaclimate
Saharan Air Layer (SAL)
Well-Mixed Layers (WML's)
Atmosphere Infrared Sounder (AIRS)
Saharan Air Layer (SAL) Frequency
Saharan Air Layer (SAL) Properties
Saharan Air Layer (SAL) Trajectories
Abstract
• Evaluated AIRS SAL detection potential given porous radiosonde network (2002–2016)
• AIRS vs AIRS/AMSU WML detection rates within 5%
• WML: Potent seasonal cycle, best resolved by AIRS
• SAL Frequency: Well-matched to observations, WML to SAL conversion rates highest in Sahara (Max 26%)
• SAL Properties:
• Distinct warm bias (esp. ECMWF)
• Layer thickness well captured, but AIRS IQR too small
• SAL trajectories:
• Precipitation: 43-47% (0-10 mm), 10-13% (100mm+)
• Dusty air (> 0.30 ODU): Sahara – 20-22%, Non-Sahara – 40-55%
• Caveat: AIRS likely to do better further from rawinsondes station, AIRS results lose little with loss of AMSU.
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Characterizing 15 Years of Saharan-like, Dry, Well-Mixed Air Layers in North Africa
Nicholls, Stephen D.; Mohr, Karen I.; Shi, Jainn J.; Braun, Scott A. (NASA Technical Reports Server, 2020-01-13)The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) is a dry, well-mixed layer (WML) of warm and sometimes dusty air of nearly constant water vapor mixing ratio generated by the intense surface heating and strong, dry convection in the Sahara ... -
Examining Multidecadal Relationships Between the Saharan Air Layer and Large-Scale Atlantic Hurricane Environment
St Pe, Alexandra E. (2013-01-01)Massive Saharan dust outbreaks over the North Atlantic transpire in a warm and dust-laden air mass, the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), modulating oceanic and atmospheric conditions over a hurricane's main development region ... -
First Mapping of Monthly and Diurnal Climatology of Saharan Dust Layer Height Over the Atlantic Ocean From EPIC/DSCOVR in Deep Space
Lu, Zhendong; Wang, Jun; Chen, Xi; Zeng, Jing; Wang, Yi; Xu, Xiaoguang; Christian, Kenneth E.; Yorks, John E.; Nowottnick, Edward P.; Reid, Jeffrey S.; Xian, Peng (AGU, 2023-03-02)The monthly and hourly climatology of Saharan dust layer height over the Atlantic, at a spatial resolution of ∼10 km, is obtained for the first time, via a passive remote sensing technique. The technique is applied to ...