Cloudgen: A stochastic cloud generator

Cloudgen is a program for generating three-dimensional stochastic clouds (specifically cirrus) with realistic horizontal and vertical structure. Eleven sample config files are included, 2 "idealised" cirrus cases (one with variable effective radius), 1 idealised stratocumulus case, 4 cirrus cases derived from cloud radar time-height sections and the same 4 cases but with the effects of shear-induced horizontal mixing removed.

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Example from 27 December 1999

The following plot shows 2D ice water content derived from the Chilbolton 94-GHz cloud radar on 27 December 1999.

The following plot shows a slice through a 3D cloud fields created by Cloudgen when it is given statistics derived from the radar data.

Some 3D visualisations of stochastic cirrus clouds:

References

Publications using the code above should reference the first of the papers below, which describes the workings of the algorithm.

  • Hogan, R. J., and S. F. Kew, 2005: A 3D stochastic cloud model for investigating the radiative properties of inhomogeneous cirrus clouds. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 131, 2585-2608: PDF
  • Hogan, R. J., and S. F. Kew, 2004: A 3D stochastic cloud model for investigating the radiative properties of inhomogeneous cirrus clouds. Proc. 14th Int. Conf. on Clouds and Precipitation, Bologna, Italy, 1669-1672: PDF (see the poster as PPT)
  • Kew, S. F., 2003: Development of a 3D fractal cirrus model and its use in investigating the impact of cirrus inhomogeneity on radiation. MSc Dissertation, Department of Mathematics, University of Reading: PDF

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