Cloud Versus Void Chord Length Distributions (LvL) as a Measure for Cloud Field Organization

Abstract

AbstractCloud organization impacts the radiative effects and precipitation patterns of the cloud field. Deviating from randomness, clouds exhibit either clustering or a regular grid structure, characterized by the spacing between clouds and the cloud size distribution. The two measures are coupled but do not fully define each other. Here, we present the deviation from randomness of the cloud‐ and void‐chord length distributions as a measure for both factors. We introduce the LvL representation and an associated 2D score that allow for unambiguously quantifying departure from well‐defined baseline randomness in cloud spacing and sizes. This approach demonstrates sensitivity and robustness in classifying cloud field organization types. Its delicate sensitivity unravels the temporal evolution of a single cloud field, providing novel insights into the underlying governing processes.