The retrieval of cloud properties based on spectral solar light diffuse transmittance measurements under optically thick cloud cover conditions

Abstract

We propose a simple and fast cloud retrieval technique based on the spectral diffuse transmittance measurements under optically thick clouds. The technique is aimed at retrieval of cloud optical thickness, liquid water path and effective radius of particles in cloudy media. It is based on the asymptotic radiative transfer solutions valid at cloud optical thicknesses above 10. Also we use the parametrizations of the Mie theory results for local optical properties of clouds such as the single scattering albedo, extinction coefficient, and asymmetry parameter. This makes it possible to reduce the inverse problem solution to finding a root of a simple transcendent equation.