Contrasting features of cloud and radiative heating from multi-satellite observations over Oklahoma and Korea

This study investigated regional contrasts in the vertical structure and radiative characteristics of clouds between two mid-latitude continental regions—Oklahoma in the central United States and the Korean Peninsula in East Asia—using 12 years of satellite observations (2006–2017) from CloudSat and CALIPSO. Despite being located within a similar latitudinal band, the two regions exhibited contrasting cloud regimes due to variations in meteorological conditions, boundary-layer structure, and convective forcing. Satellite observation analyses showed that vertical development of clouds was generally deeper and more vertically continuous over Oklahoma, while clouds over Korea were typically shallower and more seasonally variable, especially confined to lower altitudes during winter. The analysis of radiative heating indicates that relatively stronger shortwave heating and longwave cooling frequently occur in the upper troposphere over Oklahoma, consistent with deep convective systems. In contrast, Korea exhibited heating rates that were dominant below the mid troposphere, associated with relatively weak vertical development of clouds. Thermodynamic analysis using equivalent potential temperature and relative humidity profiles showed that the atmospheric conditions over Korea were relatively more stable and humid, and exhibited greater seasonal variability compared to those over Oklahoma. Our findings showed that cloud radiative characteristics between Oklahoma and Korea regions were notably different based on long-term satellite observations. This study can contribute to providing a conceptual reference for conducting observational analysis of mid-latitudinal climate regions.