Chepfer et al. (2025) Variability and Trends in Cloud Properties Over 17 Years From CALIPSO Space Lidar Observations

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-10-17
• Authors: Hélène Chepfer, Olivier Chomette, Assia Arouf, Vincent Noël, David M. Winker, Artem Feofilov, A. Alava Baldazo
• DOI: 10.1029/2025jd043764

Research Groups

Not specified in the abstract.

Short Summary

This study investigates fingerprints of cloud changes using 11 years of CALIPSO space lidar data, finding statistically insignificant decreases in opaque cloud cover and increases in altitude, suggesting the record may be too short or imprecise for confident detection of climate change signals.

Objective

• To search for fingerprints of cloud changes (cover, altitude, emissivity, vertical profile) over 17 years (2006–2023), specifically 11 full years (2008–2018), using CALIPSO space lidar data.
• To identify trends at global scale and in specific latitude bands, and compare them with climate model projections.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global scale and specific latitude bands (e.g., Arctic).
• Temporal Scale: 11 full years (2008–2018) of analyzed data, derived from an initial 17-year period (2006–2023).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not applicable (observational study; climate model projections are referenced for comparison, not used as a primary tool within this study's methodology).
• Data sources: Cloud properties collected by the CALIPSO space lidar.

Main Results

• A decrease in opaque cloud cover was observed.
• A rise in opaque cloud altitude was observed.
• These observed changes are consistent in sign with climate model projected changes.
• However, the observed changes are statistically insignificant and do not extend beyond natural variability.
• The CALIPSO record might be too short in time or not precise enough to detect statistically significant cloud changes with confidence.

Contributions

• Provided an analysis of cloud property trends (cover, altitude, emissivity, vertical profile) using a significant portion of the CALIPSO space lidar record.
• Identified and addressed the impact of CALIPSO space lidar operational changes on cloud detection stability, leading to a refined dataset.
• Highlighted the current limitations of space lidar records for detecting statistically significant climate-driven cloud changes, emphasizing the need for longer and harmonized observational datasets.

Funding

Not available in the abstract.

Citation

@article{Chepfer2025Variability,
  author = {Chepfer, Hélène and Chomette, Olivier and Arouf, Assia and Noël, Vincent and Winker, David M. and Feofilov, Artem and Baldazo, A. Alava},
  title = {Variability and Trends in Cloud Properties Over 17 Years From CALIPSO Space Lidar Observations},
  journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1029/2025jd043764},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jd043764}
}