Cloud fraction and cloud base height estimation using all sky cameras

• Grant number: 19/20794-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Akemi Yamasoe
• Grantee: Gabriela Lima da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Clouds interact with radiation through absorption and scattering in the solar spectrum, and also emitting thermal radiation. In order to better estimate the cloud radiative forcing, one needs to know its physical and optical properties, such as cloud optical depth, water, and ice content, cloud fraction and temperature, particularly of its base in the case of surface radiation budget estimation. The main objective of this proposal is to estimate cloud base height and the sky fraction covered by clouds. In order to reach this goal, all-sky digital cameras will be processed using two different software, one specific for cloud base height and the second for cloud fraction. The images will be collected at Parque CIENTEC, where the Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas weather station is located. Results from the sky cameras will be compared to visual observations performed at the station.