DYCOMS-II

Dynamics and Chemistry of Marine Stratocumulus Phase II

PROJECT DATES
07/07/2001 - 07/28/2001
PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Second Dynamics and Chemistry of Marine Stratocumulus field study (DYCOMS-II) was conducted from 7-28 July 2001 off of the coast of Southern California. It was designed to take measurements in the marine stratocumulus region to help scientists unravel the mysteries of this important cloud regime.
DYCOMS-II target area (planned - rectangle; actual - rhomboid) over TMI SST.

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Scientific Objectives

 

DYCOMS-II was specifically designed to provide:

 

  • a suite of test cases for subsequent simulation;
  • tests of LES derived entrainment parameterizations.

Secondary objectives included:

  • testing a new technique to measure large-scale divergence;
  • increasing our understanding of the diurnal cycle;
  • quantifying precipitation and its effect on cloud structure;
  • evaluating aerosol effects on precipitation and clouds.

 

Flights and Instrumentation

 

For DYCOMS-II the NSF/NCAR C-130 aircraft conducted nine research flights during July 2001 to the WSW of Los Angeles, CA, in the heart of the stratocumulus region of the NE Pacific. The aircraft conducted two basic flight patterns: entrainment and radar flight patters. Instrumentation aboard the C-130 included:

 

  • State parameter instrumentation
  • Trace gas measurements (CO2, CO, O3, and DMS)
  • Microphyics inlets and probes
  • Radial Differential Mobility Analyzer (RDMA)
  • Scanning Aerosol Backscatter Lidar (SABL)
  • Wyoming Cloud Radar (WCR)
  • Multichannel Cloud Radiometer (MCR)
  • GPS Dropsondes

Front view of C130 and probe locations.

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Supporting Datasets

 

In addition to the datasets derived from the C-130 instrumentation a variety of supporting data sets were collected for the DYCOMS-II region. These included:

 

  • GOES Imager/Sounder satellite
  • NOAA POES satellite
  • DMSP satellite
  • QuikSCAT satellite
  • TRMM satellite
  • Terra MODIS
  • Surface meteorology
  • Radiosonde and Profiler data
  • COAMPS, ECMWF, and NCEP Model products

 

Stratocumulus observed from the C-130 (Courtesy: Gabor Vali)

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Bjorn Stevens (courtesy Gabor Vali).

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All photos copyright University Corporation for Atmospheric Research unless otherwise noted.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Principal Investigators:

Data Manager: