Semitransparent cirrus clouds in the tropical tropopause layer during two contrasting seasons

Association between semitransparent cirrus (STC) and tropospheric dynamics during the two contrasting seasons (Summer-monsoon and Winter) is studied using lidar and MST radar observations at Gadanki (13.5 degrees N, 79.2 degrees E) along with data from Geo-stationary satellite (KALPANA-1). The tropical tropopause layer (TTL) is found to be very conducive for the formation of SIC. For those thicker STCs forming within TTL, the cloud top remains mostly steady with the top of the TTL, while the cloud base varies significantly in accordance with the altitude extent of tropospheric convective outflow. Based on depolarization characteristics of STCs (from lidar) along with regional distribution of tropospheric clouds derived from satellite data, altitude profile of horizontal wind, wind field at 150 hPa and air mass back trajectories, it can be reasonably inferred that, while the multi-layered and highly structured STCs during the monsoon period originate mostly from the deep convections, the sub-visual/ultra thin STCs during winter could mostly be of in situ origin. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.