VERTICAL STRATIFICATION OF TROPICAL CLOUD PROPERTIES AS DETERMINED FROM SATELLITE

A new retrieval scheme is developed to infer tropical cloud properties and vertical structure, including liquid and ice water content, cloud top and base, and loud layering. The retrieval scheme utilizes a clou d classification scheme that uses both International Satellite Cloud C limatology Project (ISCCP) cloud top temperature and a microwave index from the special sensor microwave/imager (SSM/I). Different cloud cla sses Have different allowed numbers of cloud layers. The retrieval sch eme also incorporates findings from observational studies. When multip le liquid layers are judged to be possible, a ''cloudiness likelihood' ' parameter is used to determine the priority for the presence of liqu id layer at each level, based on the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analyzed relative humidity field. Cloud liquid water path is determined using a microwave satellite retrieval. In case of multiple liquid layers, the liquid water path is partitioned and assig ned to each liquid layer in proportion to the adiabatic liquid water p ath in each layer. Depending on the cloud class, ice water paths are d etermined using one of the following methods: (1) ISCCP ice optical de pth; (2) a microwave ice retrieval that uses ice scattering signals at high SSM/I frequencies; and (3) a residual method that infers ice fro m the difference between a ''virtual'' liquid water path derived from ISCCP total optical depth and the true liquid water path determined fr om SSM/I. The retrieved cloud layering is indirectly validated using c loud cooccurrence climatology from surface observations. The cloud bas e retrieval is compared with lidar measurements obtained during the Tr opical Ocean-Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Exper iment.