Spatial and Temporal Features of the Frequency of Cloud Occurrence over China Based on CALIOP

Abstract

Spatial and temporal distribution of cloud vertical structure are key components of global climate change. The occurrence of clouds over China and its surrounding areas has been calculated based on cloud layer products from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) at 1 km resolution. Results show significant regional differences in the frequency of cloud occurrence. Fewer clouds are found over the Mongolian Plateau and northern Indian Peninsula, with more clouds apparent over tropical seas and southern China. Cloud cover at night is slightly higher than during the day. Single-layer clouds are more common than multilayer clouds in most areas. In most areas, high-level cloud accounts for the largest proportion of single-layer clouds. The occurrence of clouds in summer and autumn is generally greater than in spring and winter. Single-layer clouds over the Mongolian Plateau and northern Indian Peninsula occur less frequently than multilayer clouds, especially in winter. Furthermore, single-layer clouds are common over the eastern part of southwest China all year round. Over parts of the Tibetan Plateau in summer, high clouds account for the largest proportion (>35%) of annual single-layer clouds, as a result of topography and enhanced summer convection.