# Regional Drivers of Anvil Cloud Fraction and Cloud Radiative Effects in the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zones (ITCZs)

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Oregon State University (OR) · $418,063

## Abstract

The cloud radiative effect (CRE) is a measure of the impact of clouds on the earth’s net radiation budget, defined as the clear-sky minus all-sky (including clouds) radiative flux at the top of the atmosphere measured by satellites or estimated from models. Cloud feedbacks are one of the largest uncertainties in future projections of global surface temperature and thus there is strong motivation for constraining these feedbacks. This project is focused on advancing understanding of the observed negative CRE in the East Pacific and Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zones (ITCZs), addressing a gap in the current theory applicable mainly to the deep convective regions of the West Pacific and Indian Ocean where sea surface temperature gradients are weak and the CRE is close to neutral. The focus on oceanic ITCZs is motivated by the fact that the CRE for these regions contributes about 5% to the global CRE and has a larger magnitude than the estimated global energy imbalance. The negative CRE for oceanic ITCZ regions results from smaller anvil cloud areas relative to other deep convective regions of the Tropics, however little is known about what controls anvil cloud area in these regions. Thus, this project will also explore why a negative CRE is associated with small anvil cloud fraction in these regions. The study will use a combination of satellite observations and idealized modeling studies to address these issues. The project includes training undergraduate, graduate and po

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2500539
- **Awardee organization:** Oregon State University (OR)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MZ4DYXE1SL98
- **PI:** Andrea M Jenney
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** —
- **Estimated total:** $418,063
- **Funds obligated:** $418,063
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2025 → 06/30/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2500539

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2500539, Regional Drivers of Anvil Cloud Fraction and Cloud Radiative Effects in the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zones (ITCZs). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-09 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2500539. Licensed CC0.

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