LAUSR

AbstractUsing long-term (1958–2008) ship-based cloud observations and reanalysis data, interannual variability in the low stratiform cloud (LSC) amount of stratocumulus (Sc), stratus (St), and sky-obscuring fog (FOG) is examined over the summertime North Pacific. The correlation between the LSC amount and the estimated inversion strength is positive but relatively weak, compared with the well-known linear relationship for their seasonal variabilities. This reflects the regional contrast: the correlations are stronger in the southeastern North Pacific (SE NP) and weaker in the northwestern North Pacific (NW NP). Regarding the LSC types, variations in Sc amount are large over the SE NP and correlated with the inferred capping inversion strength. Variations in FOG amount are large over the NW NP and correlated with the inferred surface-based inversion strength. The compensating variations between the Sc and FOG amounts result in an apparent small variation in the total LSC amount in this region. Variations i...