Comparison of satellite and aircraft measurements of cloud microphysical properties in icing conditions during ATReC/AIRS-II

Satellites are ideal for continuous monitoring of aircraft icing conditions in many situations over extensive areas. The satellite imager data are used to diagnose a number of cloud properties that can be used to develop icing intensity indices. Developing and validating these indices requires comparison with objective “cloud truth” data in addition to conventional pilot reports (PIREPS) of icing conditions. In this paper, cloud properties and icing indices derived from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and the Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer are compared first to each other and then to aircraft in situ measurements of several cloud properties during the Atlantic-THORPEX Regional Campaign (ATReC) and the second Alliance Icing Research Study (AIRS-II). The field programs were conducted over the northeastern USA and southeastern Canada during late 2003 and early 2004. The comparisons include cloud phase, particle size, icing intensity, base and top altitudes, temperatures, and liquid water path. The results of this study are crucial for developing a more reliable and objective icing product from satellite data. This icing product, currently being derived from GOES data over the USA, is an important complement to more conventional products based on forecasts, PIREPS, and surface observations.