GreenCu Cloud Patterns: A Novel Approach to Measuring Cloud Organization (Invited)

The emergence of organized patterns in shallow cloud fields is a ubiquitous phenomenon observed across a range of spatiotemporal scales. These patterns significantly influence the climate by playing a key role in determining the cloud fields' radiative effects. Continental shallow convective cumulus cloud fields, also known as "greenCu" due to their tendency to form over green landscapes, are particularly notable for their distinctive organization, including regular patterns and cloud streets.

In this presentation, we explore the organization of satellite-derived greenCu cloud fields using a novel metric that measures organization through cloud- and void-chord length distributions (LvL). This metric provides a 2D score that quantifies the deviation from a well-defined baseline of randomness in cloud size and spacing. The LvL is sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in cloud patterns over time, offering valuable insights into the underlying processes governing these patterns.