Clustering CloudSat and CALIPSO retrievals on dynamic regimes across the Arctic domain

Arctic cloud and precipitation from CloudSat and CALIPSO retrievals are analyzed during the Year of Tropical Convection (YOTC), May 2008 to April 2010. The YOTC reanalysis provides a fine spatial resolution, which instantaneous retrievals of CloudSAT and CALIPSO can be more accurately compared to dynamic variables than the typical 2.5 by 2.5 degree reanalysis. CloudSat and CALIPSO retrievals are averaged on the YOTC grid, 0.9 degree latitude by 1.25 degree longitude grid. For each CloudSat/CALIPSO retrieval, vertical motion (omega), moisture convergence, and moisture transport are calculated from the YOTC reanalysis. A k-means clustering algorithm is performed on the YOTC variables to obtain dynamical states, and the CloudSat/CALIPSO retrievals are averaged for each state. Top of atmosphere radiative measurements and surface type are analyzed for each of these dynamical cloud regimes to determine if there are significant climate differences between the states.