Retrievals of Cloud Microphysical Properties over Eureka, Canada (2006-2009)

Surface-based data from the Canadian Network for the Detection of Arctic Change (CANDAC) site at Eureka, Canada (80 N, 86 W) have been used to retrieve cloud microphysical properties for March 2006 through April 2009. Data from an Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) and a microwave radiometer, together with cloud-boundary information from a Millimeter-wave Cloud Radar (MMCR) and a High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL), are used as input to the Mixed-phase Cloud Property Retrieval Algorithm (MIXCRA) to derive the optical depth, ice/liquid water path (IWP/LWP), effective particle size, and the particle phase of clouds over Eureka. The seasonal cycles of the retrieved parameters are presented. Liquid clouds dominate in summer and ice clouds are most prevalent in winter, but mixed-phased clouds also occur at all times of the year. The optical depth and ice fraction are shown to have a weak dependence on cloud temperature. Size distributions of different cloud types (liquid, mixed, ice) are also shown. The results from Eureka are compared with similar datasets from other locations in the Arctic.