Precipitation rate climatology related to different cloud types using satellite imagery over Iran

• Published in: Arabian journal of geosciences 2018-02, Vol.11 (4), p.1-15, Article 78
• Main Authors: Ghasemifar, Elham, Farajzadeh, Manuchehr, Ghavidel Rahimi, Yousef, Bidokhti, Abbasali Aliakbari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric precipitations; Climate; Climatology; Clouds; Cumulus clouds; Data; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth science; Earth Sciences; Hydrologic data; Imagery; Imaging techniques; Mathematical models; MODIS; Optical thickness; Original Paper; Precipitation; Precipitation rate; Rain; Rainfall; Regions; Satellite imagery; Satellites; Snow; Spaceborne remote sensing; Spectroradiometers; Tropical climate
• ISSN: 1866-7511; 1866-7538
• DOI: 10.1007/s12517-018-3419-4

Cloud types have a substantial influence on precipitation. This paper presents a study of the monthly variations of daytime different cloud types over Iran using data collected from Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard Terra during 2001–2015, MODIS aboard Aqua during 2002–2015, International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) H-series cloud type data during 2001–2009 and precipitation rate associated with different cloud types using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite products during 2001–2009. Different cloud types were determined using MODIS cloud optical thickness and cloud top pressure data based on ISCCP algorithm. The results showed that stratocumulus and cumulus clouds have maximum occurrence frequency over marine areas especially southern seas. The maximum frequency of nimbostratus and deep convective occurrence occurred over mountainous regions particularly at the time of Aqua overpass and cirrus and cirrostratus are observed over southeast of Iran during warm months due to monsoon system. Altostratus cloud is extended in each month except January, at the time of Terra overpass while nimbostratus is seen at the time of Aqua overpass during warm months in the study area. Cumulus and altocumulus clouds have shown remarkable frequency in all months especially over marine regions during warm and fall months. The higher value of precipitation rate is related to altostratus with a rate approximately 7 mm/h at the time of Terra overpass during April. Altostratus has the maximum recorded precipitation rate except in Nov., Dec., Sep., and Jan. at the time of Terra overpass, whereas the maximum precipitation rate is linked to nimbostratus cloud activity (up to 5 mm/h) except for March, April, and Sep. at the time of Aqua overpass. Deep convective (up to 1.32 mm/h), cirrostratus (up to 1.11 mm/h), and cirrus (0.02 mm/h) are observed only in warm months. The results were compared with ISCCP cloud types so that precipitation rate classified from low to high and Spearman rank correlation was calculated. The results showed good agreement between these two cloud type data; however, there were few notable difference between them.