May 5, 2016 · A new NASA analysis of 30-years of satellite data suggests that a previously observed trend of high altitude clouds in the mid-latitudes shifting toward the poles is caused primarily by the expansion of the tropics. Clouds are among the most important mediators of heat reaching Earth's surface.

Clouds in the Tropics. In another sparsely inhabited climate zone, the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP), the PSL MMCR and DABUL will make identical measurements of tropical clouds.

Aug 17, 2016 · Here we use Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) satellite observations to show that thin mid-level clouds (TMLCs) are ubiquitous in the tropics. Supported by high-resolution regional model simulations, we find that TMLCs are formed by detrainment from convective clouds near the zero-degree isotherm.

Examining the structure of the global cloud field one can see, a long line of bright, dense clouds near the equator in a region known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), more clearly evident over the tropical Atlantic and East Pacific oceans.

Nov 5, 2019 · Here we combine recent satellite observations of clouds profiles and relative humidity profiles to document the diurnal variations of the water vapor and clouds vertical distributions over all...

This graphic shows cloud heights at different latitudes on the Earth. For example, a middle cloud like an altocumulus cloud would be found at a lower height in the sky at the poles than at the equator (which is in the tropics). Courtesy of Lisa Gardiner/UCAR

High and thin clouds known as cirrus clouds (Ci) are ubiquitous in the tropics, generated by local stratiform condensation or by dissipating convective systems. Low clouds such as the optically-thick stratocumuli (Sc) and optically-thinner, shallow-convective cumuli (Cu) are frequent as well.

Jan 31, 2002 · After examining 22 years of satellite measurements, NASA researchers find that more sunlight entered the tropics and more heat escaped to space in the 1990s than in the 1980s. Their findings...

Apr 10, 2019 · Tropical storm clouds brewing over the Seychelles archipelago. New research uses satellite data to offer new insights into the nature of precipitating clouds at tropical latitudes.

Oct 17, 2019 · When clouds loft tropical air masses high into the sky, some of the gases they carry can be transformed into tiny particles, initiating a process that that may end up brightening lower-level clouds and reflecting more sunlight away from Earth.