Global Cloud Cover for Seasons Using Tiros Nephanalyses

TIROS nephanalyses are used to obtain global maps and latitudinal profiles of average cloud amount for the four seasons for the year March 1962 through February 1963. It is found that the gross patterns and season-to-season variations of these cloud distributions bear a striking resemblance to corresponding features of normal cloudiness, although there are some differences which call for further study. In many cases anomalies in cloudiness can be related to corresponding anomalies of the general circulation. In considering the magnitude as distinct from the pattern of cloudiness, there is some suggestion that during the chosen period the TIROS nephanalyses gave too much cloudiness for large cloud amount, and too little for small cloud amount.