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Cloud cover changes over Indian subcontinent using INSAT-3D during the recent decade (2014-2023)
Shivali Verma1, M V Ramana1, Rabindrakumar Nayak1
1Earth and Climate Sciences Area, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Abstract:
Understanding long-term changes in cloud cover fraction is critical for understanding the impact of climate change. Continuous monitoring-essential for capturing these changes-is provided by the Indian geostationary satellite INSAT-3D. To investigate the spatial and temporal trends in cloud cover fraction, a decadal assessment (2014-2023) using INSAT-3D data has been conducted, addressing a significant knowledge gap in understanding long-term cloud and their regional implications over this region. Validation of INSAT-3D-derived cloud cover fraction with ground-based All Sky Imager observations shows complete agreement for cloudy conditions, with a margin of error limited to 3% due to false detections. Annual daily mean cloud cover fraction shows increasing trend 0.3% yr-1 over land (with significant increase of 0.4% yr-1 over north-west region) and ranges between 0.2% to 0.6% yr-1 over adjacent oceanic regions including Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. However, when averaged across the entire Indian subcontinent and surrounding oceans, an overall decline of -0.05% yr-1 is observed. Compared to the long-term decreasing trends in daily averaged cloud cover fraction, day-time cloud cover fraction shows a decreasing trend of -3% yr-1, while night time cloud cover fraction increases by 1.5% yr-1. The observed asymmetric cloud diurnal cycle may indicate corresponding changes in cloud radiative effects, which might be potentially influencing surface temperatures during certain times of the day. These cloud distribution changes increase climate variability, highlighting the importance of such study with continuous satellite-based cloud monitoring in the region.
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