Articles | Volume 18, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7329-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7329-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
25 May 2018
Research article |
| 25 May 2018
| 25 May 2018
The impact of atmospheric stability and wind shear on vertical cloud overlap over the Tibetan Plateau
Jiming Li
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of
Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou,
China
Qiaoyi Lv
Laboratory of Straits Meteorology, Xiamen Meteorological Bureau,
Xiamen, China
Bida Jian
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of
Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou,
China
Min Zhang
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of
Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou,
China
Chuanfeng Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology,
and College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal
University, Beijing, China
Qiang Fu
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of
Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou,
China
Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle,
USA
Kazuaki Kawamoto
Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki
University, Nagasaki, Japan
Hua Zhang
Laboratory for Climate Studies, National Climate Center, China
Meteorological Administration, Beijing, China
Related authors
Honglin Pan, Jianping Huang, Jiming Li, Zhongwei Huang, Tian Zhou, and Kanike Raghavendra Kumar
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-290, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-290, 2023
Revised manuscript under review for ESSD
Short summary
Short summary
We applied several correction procedures and rigorously checked for data quality constraints during the long observation period spanning almost 14 years (2007–2020). Nevertheless, some uncertainties remain mainly due to technical constraints, as well as limited documentation of the measurements. Even though not completely accurate, this strategy is expected to at least reduce the inaccuracy of the computed characteristic value of aerosol optical parameters.
Yuxin Zhao, Jiming Li, Lijie Zhang, Cong Deng, Yarong Li, Bida Jian, and Jianping Huang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 743–769, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-743-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-743-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Diurnal variations of clouds play an important role in the radiative budget and precipitation. Based on satellite observations, reanalysis, and CMIP6 outputs, the diurnal variations in total cloud cover and cloud vertical distribution over the Tibetan Plateau are explored. The diurnal cycle of cirrus is a key focus and found to have different characteristics from those found in the tropics. The relationship between the diurnal cycle of cirrus and meteorological factors is also discussed.
Bida Jian, Jiming Li, Guoyin Wang, Yuxin Zhao, Yarong Li, Jing Wang, Min Zhang, and Jianping Huang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9809–9828, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9809-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9809-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We evaluate the performance of the AMIP6 model in simulating cloud albedo over marine subtropical regions and the impacts of different aerosol types and meteorological factors on the cloud albedo based on multiple satellite datasets and reanalysis data. The results show that AMIP6 demonstrates moderate improvement over AMIP5 in simulating the monthly variation in cloud albedo, and changes in different aerosol types and meteorological factors can explain ~65 % of the changes in the cloud albedo.
Yueming Cheng, Tie Dai, Jiming Li, and Guangyu Shi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15307–15322, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15307-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15307-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper we present the analysis of the aerosol vertical features observed by CATS collected from 2015 to 2017 over three selected regions (North China, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Tarim Basin) over different timescales. This comprehensive information provides insights into the seasonal variations and diurnal cycles of the aerosol vertical features across East Asia.
Akira Yamauchi, Kazuaki Kawamoto, Atsuyoshi Manda, and Jiming Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 7657–7667, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7657-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7657-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
As a key component of the climate system, clouds have a significant influence on hydrological cycles and energy budgets. This study clarified the effects of sea surface temperature changes in the Kuroshio Current on the vertical structure of clouds (rainfall intensity, cloud geometrical thickness, and maximum radar reflectivity position) using CloudSat products. The Kuroshio influences not only the dynamical processes of the lower layer of the atmosphere but also the properties inside clouds.
Siyu Chen, Jianping Huang, Nanxuan Jiang, Zhou Zang, Xiaodan Guan, Xiaojun Ma, Zhuo Jia, Xiaorui Zhang, Yanting Zhang, Kangning Huang, Xiaocong Xu, Guolong Zhang, Jiming Li, Ran Yang, and Shujie Liao
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2017-890, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2017-890, 2017
Revised manuscript not accepted
Jiming Li, Qiaoyi Lv, Min Zhang, Tianhe Wang, Kazuaki Kawamoto, Siyu Chen, and Beidou Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 1847–1863, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-1847-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-1847-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The present study investigates the effects of atmospheric dynamics on the supercooled liquid cloud fraction (SCF) during nighttime under different aerosol loadings at global scale to better understand the conditions of supercooled liquid water gradually transforming to ice phase. Statistical results indicate that aerosols’ effect on nucleation cannot fully explain all SCF changes, and so meteorological parameter also should be considered in futher parameterization of the cloud phase.
J. Li, J. Huang, K. Stamnes, T. Wang, Q. Lv, and H. Jin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 519–536, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-519-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-519-2015, 2015
Hongfei Hao, Kaicun Wang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Guocan Wu, and Jing Li
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-447, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-447, 2023
Preprint under review for ESSD
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we employed a machine learning technique to derive daily AOD from hourly visibility collected at more 5000 airports worldwide from 1980 to 2021 combined with reanalysis meteorological parameters.
Honglin Pan, Jianping Huang, Jiming Li, Zhongwei Huang, Tian Zhou, and Kanike Raghavendra Kumar
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-290, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-290, 2023
Revised manuscript under review for ESSD
Short summary
Short summary
We applied several correction procedures and rigorously checked for data quality constraints during the long observation period spanning almost 14 years (2007–2020). Nevertheless, some uncertainties remain mainly due to technical constraints, as well as limited documentation of the measurements. Even though not completely accurate, this strategy is expected to at least reduce the inaccuracy of the computed characteristic value of aerosol optical parameters.
Hao Fan, Xingchuan Yang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Yikun Yang, and Zhenyao Shen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7781–7798, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7781-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7781-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Using 20-year multi-source data, this study shows pronounced regional and seasonal variations in fire activities and emissions. Seasonal variability of fires is larger with increasing latitude. The increase in temperature in the Northern Hemisphere's middle- and high-latitude forest regions was primarily responsible for the increase in fires and emissions, while the changes in fire occurrence in tropical regions were more influenced by the decrease in precipitation and relative humidity.
Shuai Li, Hua Zhang, Yonghang Chen, Zhili Wang, Xiangyu Li, Yuan Li, and Yuanyuan Xue
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2023-21, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2023-21, 2023
Revised manuscript under review for AMT
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, Xinjiang was taken as the test area, nine evaluation indexes of FY-2F/CTA, which including precision rate, false rate, missing rate, consistency rate, strong rate, weak rate, Bias, AE and RMSE, were calculated and analysed under complex underlying surface (subsurface types, temperature and altitude conditions) and different weather conditions (dust effects and different cloud cover levels), and the precision, consistency and error indexes of FY-2F/CTA were tested and evaluated.
Yuxin Zhao, Jiming Li, Lijie Zhang, Cong Deng, Yarong Li, Bida Jian, and Jianping Huang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 743–769, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-743-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-743-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Diurnal variations of clouds play an important role in the radiative budget and precipitation. Based on satellite observations, reanalysis, and CMIP6 outputs, the diurnal variations in total cloud cover and cloud vertical distribution over the Tibetan Plateau are explored. The diurnal cycle of cirrus is a key focus and found to have different characteristics from those found in the tropics. The relationship between the diurnal cycle of cirrus and meteorological factors is also discussed.
Qiuyan Wang, Hua Zhang, Su Yang, Qi Chen, Xixun Zhou, Bing Xie, Yuying Wang, Guangyu Shi, and Martin Wild
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15867–15886, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15867-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15867-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The present-day land energy balance over East Asia is estimated for the first time. Results indicate that high aerosol loadings, clouds, and the Tibet Plateau (TP) over East Asia play vital roles in the shortwave budgets, while the TP is responsible for the longwave budgets during this regional energy budget assessment. This study provides a perspective to understand fully how the potential factors influence the diversifying regional energy budget assessments.
Lixing Shen, Chuanfeng Zhao, Xingchuan Yang, Yikun Yang, and Ping Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 419–439, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-419-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-419-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Using multi-year data, this study reveals the slump of sea land breeze (SLB) at Brisbane during mega fires and investigates the impact of fire-induced aerosols on SLB. Different aerosols have different impacts on sea wind (SW) and land wind (LW). Aerosols cause the decrease of SW, partially offset by the warming effect of black carbon (BC). The large-scale cooling effect of aerosols on sea surface temperature (SST) and the burst of BC contribute to the slump of LW.
Yue Sun and Chuanfeng Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 16555–16574, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16555-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16555-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Using high-resolution multi-year warm season data, the influence of aerosol on precipitation time over the North China Plain (NCP), Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and Pearl River Delta (PRD) is investigated. Aerosol amount and type have significant influence on precipitation time: precipitation start time is advanced by 3 h in the NCP, delayed 2 h in the PRD, and negligibly changed in the YRD. Aerosol impact on precipitation is also influenced by precipitation type and meteorological conditions.
Bida Jian, Jiming Li, Guoyin Wang, Yuxin Zhao, Yarong Li, Jing Wang, Min Zhang, and Jianping Huang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9809–9828, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9809-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9809-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We evaluate the performance of the AMIP6 model in simulating cloud albedo over marine subtropical regions and the impacts of different aerosol types and meteorological factors on the cloud albedo based on multiple satellite datasets and reanalysis data. The results show that AMIP6 demonstrates moderate improvement over AMIP5 in simulating the monthly variation in cloud albedo, and changes in different aerosol types and meteorological factors can explain ~65 % of the changes in the cloud albedo.
Tianmeng Chen, Zhanqing Li, Ralph A. Kahn, Chuanfeng Zhao, Daniel Rosenfeld, Jianping Guo, Wenchao Han, and Dandan Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6199–6220, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6199-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6199-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A convective cloud identification process is developed using geostationary satellite data from Himawari-8.
Convective cloud fraction is generally larger before noon and smaller in the afternoon under polluted conditions, but megacities and complex topography can influence the pattern.
A robust relationship between convective cloud and aerosol loading is found. This pattern varies with terrain height and is modulated by varying thermodynamic, dynamical, and humidity conditions during the day.
Yikun Yang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Quan Wang, Zhiyuan Cong, Xingchuan Yang, and Hao Fan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 4849–4868, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4849-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4849-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The occurrence frequency of different aerosol types and aerosol optical depth over the Arctic, Antarctic and Tibetan Plateau (TP) show distinctive spatiotemporal differences. The aerosol extinction coefficient in the Arctic and TP has a broad vertical distribution, while that of the Antarctic has obvious seasonal differences. Compared with the Antarctic, the Arctic and TP are vulnerable to surrounding pollutants, and the source of air masses has obvious seasonal variations.
Xingchuan Yang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Yikun Yang, and Hao Fan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 3803–3825, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3803-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3803-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the spatiotemporal distributions of aerosol optical properties and major aerosol types, along with the vertical distribution of the major aerosol types over Australia based on multi-source data. The results of this study provide significant information on aerosol optical properties in Australia, which can help to understand their characteristics and potential climate impacts.
Xingchuan Yang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Yikun Yang, Xing Yan, and Hao Fan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 3833–3853, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3833-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3833-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Using long-term multi-source data, this study shows significant impacts of fire events on aerosol properties over Australia. The contribution of carbonaceous aerosols to the total was 26 % of the annual average but larger (30–43 %) in September–December; smoke and dust are the two dominant aerosol types at different heights in southeastern Australia for the 2019 fire case. These findings are helpful for understanding aerosol climate effects and improving climate modeling in Australia in future.
Xiaoyu Hu, Jinming Ge, Jiajing Du, Qinghao Li, Jianping Huang, and Qiang Fu
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1743–1759, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1743-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1743-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Cloud radars are powerful instruments that can probe detailed cloud structures. However, radar echoes in the lower atmosphere are always contaminated by clutter. We proposed a multi-dimensional probability distribution function that can effectively discriminate low-level clouds from clutter by considering their different features in several variables. We applied this method to the radar observations at the SACOL site and found the results have good agreement with lidar detection.
Zhanshan Ma, Chuanfeng Zhao, Jiandong Gong, Jin Zhang, Zhe Li, Jian Sun, Yongzhu Liu, Jiong Chen, and Qingu Jiang
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 205–221, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-205-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-205-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The spin-up in GRAPES_GFS, under different initial fields, goes through a dramatic adjustment in the first half-hour of integration and slow dynamic and thermal adjustments afterwards. It lasts for at least 6 h, with model adjustment gradually completed from lower to upper layers in the model. Thus, the forecast results, at least in the first 6 h, should be avoided when used. In addition, the spin-up process should repeat when the model simulation is interrupted.
Yueming Cheng, Tie Dai, Jiming Li, and Guangyu Shi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15307–15322, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15307-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15307-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper we present the analysis of the aerosol vertical features observed by CATS collected from 2015 to 2017 over three selected regions (North China, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Tarim Basin) over different timescales. This comprehensive information provides insights into the seasonal variations and diurnal cycles of the aerosol vertical features across East Asia.
Augustin Mortier, Jonas Gliß, Michael Schulz, Wenche Aas, Elisabeth Andrews, Huisheng Bian, Mian Chin, Paul Ginoux, Jenny Hand, Brent Holben, Hua Zhang, Zak Kipling, Alf Kirkevåg, Paolo Laj, Thibault Lurton, Gunnar Myhre, David Neubauer, Dirk Olivié, Knut von Salzen, Ragnhild Bieltvedt Skeie, Toshihiko Takemura, and Simone Tilmes
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 13355–13378, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13355-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13355-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We present a multiparameter analysis of the aerosol trends over the last 2 decades in the different regions of the world. In most of the regions, ground-based observations show a decrease in aerosol content in both the total atmospheric column and at the surface. The use of climate models, assessed against these observations, reveals however an increase in the total aerosol load, which is not seen with the sole use of observation due to partial coverage in space and time.
Xiaochao Yu, Zhili Wang, Hua Zhang, Jianjun He, and Ying Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 10279–10293, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-10279-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-10279-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
There are statistically significant positive and negative correlations, respectively, between winter haze days (WHDs) in China's Jing-Jin-Ji region and eastern Pacific and central Pacific El Niño events. These opposite changes in WHDs are attributable to the anomalies of both large-scale circulation and local synoptic conditions corresponding to two types of El Niño. Our study highlights the importance of distinguishing the impacts of two types of El Niño on winter haze pollution in this region.
Siyuan Zhou, Jing Yang, Wei-Chyung Wang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Daoyi Gong, and Peijun Shi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 5211–5229, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-5211-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-5211-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol–cloud–precipitation interaction is a challenging problem in regional climate. Our study contrasted the observed diurnal variation of heavy rainfall and associated clouds over Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei between clean and polluted days during the 2002–2012 summers. We found the heavy rainfall under pollution has earlier start time, earlier peak time and longer duration, and further found the absorbing aerosols and scattering aerosols play different roles in the heavy rainfall diurnal variation.
X. Shi, C. Zhao, K. Qin, Y. Yang, K. Zhang, and H. Fan
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLII-3-W5, 73–76, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W5-73-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W5-73-2018, 2018
Qianqian Wang, Zhanqing Li, Jianping Guo, Chuanfeng Zhao, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 12797–12816, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12797-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12797-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Based on 11-year data of lightning flashes, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and composion, and meteorological variables, we investigated the roles of aerosol and meteorological variables in lightning. Pronounced differences in lightning were found between clean and polluted conditions. Systematic changes of boomerang shape were found in lightning frequency with AOD, with a turning point around AOD = 0.3, beyond which lightning activity is saturated for smoke aerosols but always suppressed by dust.
Akira Yamauchi, Kazuaki Kawamoto, Atsuyoshi Manda, and Jiming Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 7657–7667, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7657-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7657-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
As a key component of the climate system, clouds have a significant influence on hydrological cycles and energy budgets. This study clarified the effects of sea surface temperature changes in the Kuroshio Current on the vertical structure of clouds (rainfall intensity, cloud geometrical thickness, and maximum radar reflectivity position) using CloudSat products. The Kuroshio influences not only the dynamical processes of the lower layer of the atmosphere but also the properties inside clouds.
Tianyi Fan, Xiaohong Liu, Po-Lun Ma, Qiang Zhang, Zhanqing Li, Yiquan Jiang, Fang Zhang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Xin Yang, Fang Wu, and Yuying Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 1395–1417, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1395-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1395-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We found that 22–28 % of the low AOD bias in eastern China simulated by the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 can be improved by using a new emission inventory. The concentrations of primary aerosols are closely related to the emission, while the seasonal variations of secondary aerosols depend more on atmospheric processes. This study highlights the importance of improving both the emission and atmospheric processes in modeling the atmospheric aerosols and their radiative effects.
Siyu Chen, Jianping Huang, Nanxuan Jiang, Zhou Zang, Xiaodan Guan, Xiaojun Ma, Zhuo Jia, Xiaorui Zhang, Yanting Zhang, Kangning Huang, Xiaocong Xu, Guolong Zhang, Jiming Li, Ran Yang, and Shujie Liao
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2017-890, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2017-890, 2017
Revised manuscript not accepted
Caiwang Zheng, Chuanfeng Zhao, Yannian Zhu, Yang Wang, Xiaoqin Shi, Xiaolin Wu, Tianmeng Chen, Fang Wu, and Yanmei Qiu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 13473–13489, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13473-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13473-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
This study analyzes influential factors including the aerosol type, relative humidity (RH), atmospheric boundary layer height (BLH), wind speed and direction, and aerosol vertical structure to the AOD–PM2.5 relationship. It shows that the ratio of PM2.5 to AOD, η, varies a lot with aerosol type. η is smaller for scattering-dominant (coarse mode) than for absorbing-dominant (fine mode) aerosol. The higher the RH (BLH), the larger (smaller) the η. η also decreases with the surface wind speed.
Maria Sand, Bjørn H. Samset, Yves Balkanski, Susanne Bauer, Nicolas Bellouin, Terje K. Berntsen, Huisheng Bian, Mian Chin, Thomas Diehl, Richard Easter, Steven J. Ghan, Trond Iversen, Alf Kirkevåg, Jean-François Lamarque, Guangxing Lin, Xiaohong Liu, Gan Luo, Gunnar Myhre, Twan van Noije, Joyce E. Penner, Michael Schulz, Øyvind Seland, Ragnhild B. Skeie, Philip Stier, Toshihiko Takemura, Kostas Tsigaridis, Fangqun Yu, Kai Zhang, and Hua Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 12197–12218, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-12197-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-12197-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The role of aerosols in the changing polar climate is not well understood and the aerosols are poorly constrained in the models. In this study we have compared output from 16 different aerosol models with available observations at both poles. We show that the model median is representative of the observations, but the model spread is large. The Arctic direct aerosol radiative effect over the industrial area is positive during spring due to black carbon and negative during summer due to sulfate.
Jinming Ge, Zeen Zhu, Chuang Zheng, Hailing Xie, Tian Zhou, Jianping Huang, and Qiang Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 9035–9047, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9035-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9035-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
A modified method with a new noise reduction scheme that can reduce the noise distribution to a narrow range is proposed to distinguish clouds and other hydrometeors from noise and recognize more features with weak signal in cloud radar observations. It was found that our method has significant advantages in reducing the rates of both failed negative and false positive hydrometeor identifications in simulated clouds and recognizing clouds with weak signal from our cloud radar observations.
Jiming Li, Qiaoyi Lv, Min Zhang, Tianhe Wang, Kazuaki Kawamoto, Siyu Chen, and Beidou Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 1847–1863, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-1847-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-1847-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The present study investigates the effects of atmospheric dynamics on the supercooled liquid cloud fraction (SCF) during nighttime under different aerosol loadings at global scale to better understand the conditions of supercooled liquid water gradually transforming to ice phase. Statistical results indicate that aerosols’ effect on nucleation cannot fully explain all SCF changes, and so meteorological parameter also should be considered in futher parameterization of the cloud phase.
Jin Ming Ge, Huayue Liu, Jianping Huang, and Qiang Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 7773–7783, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-7773-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-7773-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Nocturnal low-level jet (NLLJ), which refers to a narrow zone of strong winds, occurs frequently over the Taklimakan Desert. It is found that the NLLJ contains more momentum than without NLLJ, and the downward momentum transfer process is more intense and rapid in the warm season. The coincidence of the larger surface winds during NLLJ days with an enhancement of aerosol optical depth indicates that the NLLJ is an important mechanism for dust emission and transport over this region.
Fang Zhang, Zhanqing Li, Yanan Li, Yele Sun, Zhenzhu Wang, Ping Li, Li Sun, Pucai Wang, Maureen Cribb, Chuanfeng Zhao, Tianyi Fan, Xin Yang, and Qingqing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 5413–5425, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-5413-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-5413-2016, 2016
R. Zhang, H. Wang, D. A. Hegg, Y. Qian, S. J. Doherty, C. Dang, P.-L. Ma, P. J. Rasch, and Q. Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 12805–12822, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-12805-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-12805-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We use a global climate model with an explicit source tagging technique to quantify contributions of emissions from various geographical regions and sectors to BC in North America. Model results are evaluated against measurements of near-surface and in-snow BC. We found strong spatial variations of BC and its radiative forcing that can be quantitatively attributed to the various source origins, and also identified a significant source of BC in snow that is likely missing in most climate models.
W. Sun, R. R. Baize, G. Videen, Y. Hu, and Q. Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 11909–11918, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-11909-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-11909-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
A method is reported for retrieving super-thin cloud optical depth with polarized light. It is found that near-backscatter p-polarized light is sensitive to clouds, but not to ocean conditions. Near-backscatter p-polarized intensity linearly relates to super-thin cloud optical depth. Based on these findings, super-thin cloud optical depth can be retrieved with little effect from surface reflection.
R. Zhang, H. Wang, Y. Qian, P. J. Rasch, R. C. Easter, P.-L. Ma, B. Singh, J. Huang, and Q. Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 6205–6223, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-6205-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-6205-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We use the CAM5 model with a novel source-tagging technique to characterize the fate of BC particles emitted from various geographical regions and sectors and their transport pathways to the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau (HTP). We show a comprehensive picture of the seasonal and regional dependence of BC source attributions, and find strong seasonal and spatial variations in BC-in-snow radiative forcing in the HTP that can be quantitatively attributed to the various regional/sectoral sources.
Z. L. Wang, H. Zhang, and X. Y. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 3671–3685, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-3671-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-3671-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This study highlights that there are no effective ways to remove the black carbon exclusively without influencing the other co-emitted components, our results therefore indicate that a reduction in BC emission can lead to an unexpected warming on the Earth’s climate system in the future.
J. Li, J. Huang, K. Stamnes, T. Wang, Q. Lv, and H. Jin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 519–536, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-519-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-519-2015, 2015
L. Geng, J. Cole-Dai, B. Alexander, J. Erbland, J. Savarino, A. J. Schauer, E. J. Steig, P. Lin, Q. Fu, and M. C. Zatko
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 13361–13376, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13361-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13361-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
Examinations on snowpit and firn core results from Summit, Greenland suggest that there are two mechanisms leading to the observed double nitrate peaks in some years in the industrial era: 1) long-rang transport of nitrate and 2) enhanced local photochemical production of nitrate. Both of these mechanisms are related to pollution transport, as the additional nitrate from either direct transport or enhanced local photochemistry requires enhanced nitrogen sources from anthropogenic emissions.
T. Michibata, K. Kawamoto, and T. Takemura
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 11935–11948, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-11935-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-11935-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines the characteristics of the microphysics and macrophysics of water clouds from East Asia to the North Pacific, using data from CloudSat and MODIS retrievals. We demonstrate regional and seasonal characteristics of the cloud vertical structure and found a difference in the “contoured frequency by optical-depth diagram” (CFODD) between the pristine oceanic area and the polluted land area, implying aerosol-–cloud interaction.
K. Tsigaridis, N. Daskalakis, M. Kanakidou, P. J. Adams, P. Artaxo, R. Bahadur, Y. Balkanski, S. E. Bauer, N. Bellouin, A. Benedetti, T. Bergman, T. K. Berntsen, J. P. Beukes, H. Bian, K. S. Carslaw, M. Chin, G. Curci, T. Diehl, R. C. Easter, S. J. Ghan, S. L. Gong, A. Hodzic, C. R. Hoyle, T. Iversen, S. Jathar, J. L. Jimenez, J. W. Kaiser, A. Kirkevåg, D. Koch, H. Kokkola, Y. H Lee, G. Lin, X. Liu, G. Luo, X. Ma, G. W. Mann, N. Mihalopoulos, J.-J. Morcrette, J.-F. Müller, G. Myhre, S. Myriokefalitakis, N. L. Ng, D. O'Donnell, J. E. Penner, L. Pozzoli, K. J. Pringle, L. M. Russell, M. Schulz, J. Sciare, Ø. Seland, D. T. Shindell, S. Sillman, R. B. Skeie, D. Spracklen, T. Stavrakou, S. D. Steenrod, T. Takemura, P. Tiitta, S. Tilmes, H. Tost, T. van Noije, P. G. van Zyl, K. von Salzen, F. Yu, Z. Wang, Z. Wang, R. A. Zaveri, H. Zhang, K. Zhang, Q. Zhang, and X. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 10845–10895, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-10845-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-10845-2014, 2014
H. Zhang, X. Jing, and J. Li
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 737–754, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-737-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-737-2014, 2014
S. Feng and Q. Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 10081–10094, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-10081-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-10081-2013, 2013
R. Zhang, D. A. Hegg, J. Huang, and Q. Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 6091–6099, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-6091-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-6091-2013, 2013
C. A. Randles, S. Kinne, G. Myhre, M. Schulz, P. Stier, J. Fischer, L. Doppler, E. Highwood, C. Ryder, B. Harris, J. Huttunen, Y. Ma, R. T. Pinker, B. Mayer, D. Neubauer, R. Hitzenberger, L. Oreopoulos, D. Lee, G. Pitari, G. Di Genova, J. Quaas, F. G. Rose, S. Kato, S. T. Rumbold, I. Vardavas, N. Hatzianastassiou, C. Matsoukas, H. Yu, F. Zhang, H. Zhang, and P. Lu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 2347–2379, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-2347-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-2347-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Clouds and Precipitation | Research Activity: Remote Sensing | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Physics (physical properties and processes)
Asymmetries in cloud microphysical properties ascribed to sea ice leads via water vapour transport in the central Arctic
Quantifying the dependence of drop spectrum width on cloud drop number concentration for cloud remote sensing
The evolution of deep convective systems and their associated cirrus outflows
Wildfire smoke triggers cirrus formation: lidar observations over the eastern Mediterranean
Rapid saturation of cloud water adjustments to shipping emissions
Sensitivities of cloud radiative effects to large-scale meteorology and aerosols from global observations
Distinct secondary ice production processes observed in radar Doppler spectra: insights from a case study
Investigating the development of clouds within marine cold-air outbreaks
Detection of large-scale cloud microphysical changes within a major shipping corridor after implementation of the International Maritime Organization 2020 fuel sulfur regulations
Examining cloud vertical structure and radiative effects from satellite retrievals and evaluation of CMIP6 scenarios
Observations of climatologically invariant scale-invariance describing cloud horizontal sizes
Influence of cloud microphysics schemes on weather model predictions of heavy precipitation
Convective organization and 3D structure of tropical cloud systems deduced from synergistic A-Train observations and machine learning
Seasonal controls on isolated convective storm drafts, precipitation intensity, and life cycle as observed during GoAmazon2014/5
Uncertainty in aerosol–cloud radiative forcing is driven by clean conditions
Low-level Arctic clouds: A blind zone in our knowledge of the radiation budget
Surface-based observations of cold-air outbreak clouds during the COMBLE field campaign
Boundary layer moisture variability at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Eastern North Atlantic observatory during marine conditions
Profile-based estimated inversion strength
Characteristics of supersaturation in midlatitude cirrus clouds and their adjacent cloud-free air
Establishment of an analytical model for remote sensing of typical stratocumulus cloud profiles under various precipitation and entrainment conditions
Satellite remote sensing of regional and seasonal Arctic cooling showing a multi-decadal trend towards brighter and more liquid clouds
Microphysical processes of super typhoon Lekima (2019) and their impacts on polarimetric radar remote sensing of precipitation
The impacts of dust aerosol and convective available potential energy on precipitation vertical structure in southeastern China as seen from multisource observations
Heavy snowfall event over the Swiss Alps: did wind shear impact secondary ice production?
On the global relationship between polarimetric radio occultation differential phase shift and ice water content
Observations of microphysical properties and radiative effects of a contrail cirrus outbreak over the North Atlantic
Natural marine cloud brightening in the Southern Ocean
Distinct regional meteorological influences on low-cloud albedo susceptibility over global marine stratocumulus regions
Diurnal cycles of cloud cover and its vertical distribution over the Tibetan Plateau revealed by satellite observations, reanalysis datasets, and CMIP6 outputs
Variability and properties of liquid-dominated clouds over the ice-free and sea-ice-covered Arctic Ocean
Satellite observations of seasonality and long-term trends in cirrus cloud properties over Europe: investigation of possible aviation impacts
Ice crystal characterization in cirrus clouds III: retrieval of ice crystal shape and roughness from observations of halo displays
Technical note: Identification of two ice-nucleating regimes for dust-related cirrus clouds based on the relationship between number concentrations of ice-nucleating particles and ice crystals
Highly supercooled riming and unusual triple-frequency radar signatures over McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Ice microphysical processes in the dendritic growth layer: a statistical analysis combining multi-frequency and polarimetric Doppler cloud radar observations
Observing short-timescale cloud development to constrain aerosol–cloud interactions
Exploring relations between cloud morphology, cloud phase, and cloud radiative properties in Southern Ocean's stratocumulus clouds
Observations of cold-cloud properties in the Norwegian Arctic using ground-based and spaceborne lidar
An evaluation of the liquid cloud droplet effective radius derived from MODIS, airborne remote sensing, and in situ measurements from CAMP2Ex
A Lagrangian analysis of pockets of open cells over the southeastern Pacific
The formation and composition of the Mount Everest plume in winter
New insights on the prevalence of drizzle in marine stratocumulus clouds based on a machine learning algorithm applied to radar Doppler spectra
Addressing the difficulties in quantifying droplet number response to aerosol from satellite observations
Optically thin clouds in the trades
Stability-dependent increases in liquid water with droplet number in the Arctic
Lightning activity in northern Europe during a stormy winter: disruptions of weather patterns originating in global climate phenomena
A climatology of open and closed mesoscale cellular convection over the Southern Ocean derived from Himawari-8 observations
Methodology to determine the coupling of continental clouds with surface and boundary layer height under cloudy conditions from lidar and meteorological data
Albedo susceptibility of northeastern Pacific stratocumulus: the role of covarying meteorological conditions
Pablo Saavedra Garfias, Heike Kalesse-Los, Luisa von Albedyll, Hannes Griesche, and Gunnar Spreen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14521–14546, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14521-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14521-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
An important Arctic climate process is the release of heat fluxes from sea ice openings to the atmosphere that influence the clouds. The characterization of this process is the objective of this study. Using synergistic observations from the MOSAiC expedition, we found that single-layer cloud properties show significant differences when clouds are coupled or decoupled to the water vapour transport which is used as physical link between the upwind sea ice openings and the cloud under observation.
Matthew D. Lebsock and Mikael Witte
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14293–14305, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14293-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14293-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper evaluates measurements of cloud drop size distributions made from airplanes. We find that as the number of cloud drops increases the distribution of the cloud drop sizes narrows. The data are used to develop a simple equation that relates the drop number to the width of the drop sizes. We then use this equation to demonstrate that existing approaches to observe the drop number from satellites contain errors that can be corrected by including the new relationship.
George Horner and Edward Gryspeerdt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14239–14253, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14239-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14239-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Tropical deep convective clouds, and the thin cirrus (ice) clouds that flow out from them, are important for modulating the energy budget of the tropical atmosphere. This work uses a new method to track the evolution of the properties of these clouds across their entire lifetimes. We find these clouds cool the atmosphere in the first 6 h before switching to a warming regime after the deep convective core has dissipated, which is sustained beyond 120 h from the initial convective event.
Rodanthi-Elisavet Mamouri, Albert Ansmann, Kevin Ohneiser, Daniel A. Knopf, Argyro Nisantzi, Johannes Bühl, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Patric Seifert, Holger Baars, Dragos Ene, Ulla Wandinger, and Diofantos Hadjimitsis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14097–14114, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14097-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14097-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
For the first time, rather clear evidence is found that wildfire smoke particles can trigger strong cirrus formation. This finding is of importance because intensive and large wildfires may occur increasingly often in the future as climate change proceeds. Based on lidar observations in Cyprus in autumn 2020, we provide detailed insight into the cirrus formation at the tropopause in the presence of aged wildfire smoke (here, 8–9 day old Californian wildfire smoke).
Peter Manshausen, Duncan Watson-Parris, Matthew W. Christensen, Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen, and Philip Stier
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12545–12555, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12545-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12545-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol from burning fuel changes cloud properties, e.g., the number of droplets and the content of water. Here, we study how clouds respond to different amounts of shipping aerosol. Droplet numbers increase linearly with increasing aerosol over a broad range until they stop increasing, while the amount of liquid water always increases, independently of emission amount. These changes in cloud properties can make them reflect more or less sunlight, which is important for the earth's climate.
Hendrik Andersen, Jan Cermak, Alyson Douglas, Timothy A. Myers, Peer Nowack, Philip Stier, Casey J. Wall, and Sarah Wilson Kemsley
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10775–10794, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10775-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10775-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses an observation-based cloud-controlling factor framework to study near-global sensitivities of cloud radiative effects to a large number of meteorological and aerosol controls. We present near-global sensitivity patterns to selected thermodynamic, dynamic, and aerosol factors and discuss the physical mechanisms underlying the derived sensitivities. Our study hopes to guide future analyses aimed at constraining cloud feedbacks and aerosol–cloud interactions.
Anne-Claire Billault-Roux, Paraskevi Georgakaki, Josué Gehring, Louis Jaffeux, Alfons Schwarzenboeck, Pierre Coutris, Athanasios Nenes, and Alexis Berne
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10207–10234, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10207-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10207-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Secondary ice production plays a key role in clouds and precipitation. In this study, we analyze radar measurements from a snowfall event in the Jura Mountains. Complex signatures are observed, which reveal that ice crystals were formed through various processes. An analysis of multi-sensor data suggests that distinct ice multiplication processes were taking place. Both the methods used and the insights gained through this case study contribute to a better understanding of snowfall microphysics.
Rebecca J. Murray-Watson, Edward Gryspeerdt, and Tom Goren
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9365–9383, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9365-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9365-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Clouds formed in Arctic marine cold air outbreaks undergo a distinct evolution, but the factors controlling their transition from high-coverage to broken cloud fields are poorly understood. We use satellite and reanalysis data to study how these clouds develop in time and the different influences on their evolution. The aerosol concentration is correlated with cloud break-up; more aerosol is linked to prolonged coverage and a stronger cooling effect, with implications for a more polluted Arctic.
Michael S. Diamond
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8259–8269, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8259-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8259-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Fuel sulfur regulations were implemented for ships in 2020 to improve air quality but may also accelerate global warming. We use spatial statistics and satellite retrievals to detect changes in the size of cloud droplets and find evidence for a resulting decrease in cloud brightness within a major shipping corridor after the sulfur limits went into effect. Our results confirm both that the regulations are being followed and that they are having a warming influence via their effect on clouds.
Hao Luo, Johannes Quaas, and Yong Han
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8169–8186, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8169-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8169-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Clouds exhibit a wide range of vertical structures with varying microphysical and radiative properties. We show a global survey of spatial distribution, vertical extent and radiative effect of various classified cloud vertical structures using joint satellite observations from the new CCCM datasets during 2007–2010. Moreover, the long-term trends in CVSs are investigated based on different CMIP6 future scenarios to capture the cloud variations with different, increasing anthropogenic forcings.
Thomas D. DeWitt, Timothy J. Garrett, Karlie N. Rees, Corey Bois, and Steven K. Krueger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-943, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-943, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Viewed from space, a defining feature of Earth's atmosphere is the wide spectrum of cloud sizes. A recent study predicted the distribution of cloud sizes, and this paper compares the prediction to observations. Although there is nuance in viewing perspective, we find robust agreement with theory across different climatological conditions, including land/ocean contrasts, time of year, or latitude, suggesting a minor role for Coriolis forces, aerosol loading or surface temperature.
Gregor Köcher, Tobias Zinner, and Christoph Knote
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6255–6269, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6255-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6255-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Polarimetric radar observations of 30 d of convective precipitation events are used to statistically analyze 5 state-of-the-art microphysics schemes of varying complexity. The frequency and area of simulated heavy-precipitation events are in some cases significantly different from those observed, depending on the microphysics scheme. Analysis of simulated particle size distributions and reflectivities shows that some schemes have problems reproducing the correct particle size distributions.
Claudia J. Stubenrauch, Giulio Mandorli, and Elisabeth Lemaitre
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 5867–5884, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5867-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5867-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Organized convection leads to large convective cloud systems and intense rain and may change with a warming climate. Their complete 3D description, attained by machine learning techniques in combination with various satellite observations, together with a cloud system concept, link convection to anvil properties, while convective organization can be identified by the horizontal structure of intense rain.
Scott E. Giangrande, Thiago S. Biscaro, and John M. Peters
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 5297–5316, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5297-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5297-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Our study tracks thunderstorms observed during the wet and dry seasons of the Amazon Basin using weather radar. We couple this precipitation tracking with opportunistic overpasses of a wind profiler and other ground observations to add unique insights into the upwards and downwards air motions within these clouds at various stages in the storm life cycle. The results of a simple updraft model are provided to give physical explanations for observed seasonal differences.
Edward Gryspeerdt, Adam C. Povey, Roy G. Grainger, Otto Hasekamp, N. Christina Hsu, Jane P. Mulcahy, Andrew M. Sayer, and Armin Sorooshian
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 4115–4122, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4115-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4115-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The impact of aerosols on clouds is one of the largest uncertainties in the human forcing of the climate. Aerosol can increase the concentrations of droplets in clouds, but observational and model studies produce widely varying estimates of this effect. We show that these estimates can be reconciled if only polluted clouds are studied, but this is insufficient to constrain the climate impact of aerosol. The uncertainty in aerosol impact on clouds is currently driven by cases with little aerosol.
Hannes Jascha Griesche, Carola Barrientos-Velasco, Hartwig Deneke, Anja Hünerbein, Patric Seifert, and Andreas Macke
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-358, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-358, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The Arctic is strongly affected by climate change and the role of clouds therein is not yet completely understood. Measurements from the Arctic expedition PS106 were used to simulate radiative fluxes with and without clouds at very low altitudes (below 165 m), and their radiative effect was calculated to be 43 W m-2. The low heights of these clouds make them hard to observe. This study shows the importance of accurate measurements and simulations of clouds and provides suggestions for improvements.
Zackary Mages, Pavlos Kollias, Zeen Zhu, and Edward P. Luke
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3561–3574, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3561-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3561-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Cold-air outbreaks (when cold air is advected over warm water and creates low-level convection) are a dominant cloud regime in the Arctic, and we capitalized on ground-based observations, which did not previously exist, from the COMBLE field campaign to study them. We characterized the extent and strength of the convection and turbulence and found evidence of secondary ice production. This information is useful for model intercomparison studies that will represent cold-air outbreak processes.
Maria P. Cadeddu, Virendra P. Ghate, David D. Turner, and Thomas E. Surleta
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3453–3470, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3453-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3453-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyze the variability in marine boundary layer moisture at the Eastern North Atlantic site on a monthly and daily temporal scale and examine its fundamental role in the control of boundary layer cloudiness and precipitation. The study also highlights the complex interaction between large-scale and local processes controlling the boundary layer moisture and the importance of the mesoscale spatial distribution of vapor to support convection and precipitation.
Zhenquan Wang, Jian Yuan, Robert Wood, Yifan Chen, and Tiancheng Tong
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3247–3266, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3247-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3247-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study develops a novel profile-based algorithm based on the ERA5 to estimate the inversion strength in the planetary boundary layer better than the previous inversion index, which is a key low-cloud-controlling factor. This improved measure is more effective at representing the meteorological influence on low-cloud variations. It can better constrain the meteorological influence on low clouds to better isolate cloud responses to aerosols or to estimate low cloud feedbacks in climate models.
Georgios Dekoutsidis, Silke Groß, Martin Wirth, Martina Krämer, and Christian Rolf
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3103–3117, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3103-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3103-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Cirrus clouds affect Earth's atmosphere, deeming our study important. Here we use water vapor measurements by lidar and study the relative humidity (RHi) within and around midlatitude cirrus clouds. We find high supersaturations in the cloud-free air and within the clouds, especially near the cloud top. We study two cloud types with different formation processes. Finally, we conclude that the shape of the distribution of RHi can be used as an indicator of different cloud evolutionary stages.
Huazhe Shang, Souichiro Hioki, Guillaume Penide, Céline Cornet, Husi Letu, and Jérôme Riedi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2729–2746, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2729-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2729-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We find that cloud profiles can be divided into four prominent patterns, and the frequency of these four patterns is related to intensities of cloud-top entrainment and precipitation. Based on these analyses, we further propose a cloud profile parameterization scheme allowing us to represent these patterns. Our results shed light on how to facilitate the representation of cloud profiles and how to link them to cloud entrainment or precipitating status in future remote-sensing applications.
Luca Lelli, Marco Vountas, Narges Khosravi, and John Philipp Burrows
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2579–2611, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2579-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2579-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Arctic amplification describes the recent period in which temperatures have been rising twice as fast as or more than the global average and sea ice and the Greenland ice shelf are approaching a tipping point. Hence, the Arctic ability to reflect solar energy decreases and absorption by the surface increases. Using 2 decades of complementary satellite data, we discover that clouds unexpectedly increase the pan-Arctic reflectance by increasing their liquid water content, thus cooling the Arctic.
Yabin Gou, Haonan Chen, Hong Zhu, and Lulin Xue
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2439–2463, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2439-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2439-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This article investigates the complex precipitation microphysics associated with super typhoon Lekima using a host of in situ and remote sensing observations, including rain gauge and disdrometer data, as well as polarimetric radar observations. The impacts of precipitation microphysics on multi-source data consistency and radar precipitation estimation are quantified. It is concluded that the dynamical precipitation microphysical processes must be considered in radar precipitation estimation.
Hongxia Zhu, Rui Li, Shuping Yang, Chun Zhao, Zhe Jiang, and Chen Huang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2421–2437, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2421-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2421-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The impacts of atmospheric dust aerosols and cloud dynamic conditions on precipitation vertical development in southeastern China were studied using multiple satellite observations. It was found that the precipitating drops under dusty conditions grow faster in the middle layer but slower in the upper and lower layers compared with their pristine counterparts. Quantitative estimation of the sensitivity of the precipitation top temperature to the dust aerosol optical depth is also provided.
Zane Dedekind, Jacopo Grazioli, Philip H. Austin, and Ulrike Lohmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2345–2364, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2345-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2345-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Simulations allowing ice particles to collide with one another producing more ice particles represented surface observations of ice particles accurately. An increase in ice particles formed through collisions was related to sharp changes in the wind direction and speed with height. Changes in wind speed and direction can therefore cause more enhanced collisions between ice particles and alter how fast and how much precipitation forms. Simulations were conducted with the atmospheric model COSMO.
Ramon Padullés, Estel Cardellach, and F. Joseph Turk
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2199–2214, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2199-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2199-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The results of comparing the polarimetric radio occultation observables and the ice water content retrieved from the CloudSat radar in a global and statistical way show a strong correlation between the geographical patterns of both quantities for a wide range of heights. This implies that horizontally oriented hydrometeors are systematically present through the whole globe and through all vertical levels, which could provide insights on the physical processes leading to precipitation.
Ziming Wang, Luca Bugliaro, Tina Jurkat-Witschas, Romy Heller, Ulrike Burkhardt, Helmut Ziereis, Georgios Dekoutsidis, Martin Wirth, Silke Groß, Simon Kirschler, Stefan Kaufmann, and Christiane Voigt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1941–1961, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1941-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1941-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Differences in the microphysical properties of contrail cirrus and natural cirrus in a contrail outbreak situation during the ML-CIRRUS campaign over the North Atlantic flight corridor can be observed from in situ measurements. The cirrus radiative effect in the area of the outbreak, derived from satellite observation-based radiative transfer modeling, is warming in the early morning and cooling during the day.
Gerald G. Mace, Sally Benson, Ruhi Humphries, Peter M. Gombert, and Elizabeth Sterner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1677–1685, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1677-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1677-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The number of cloud droplets per unit volume is a significantly important property of clouds that controls their reflective properties. Computer models of the Earth's atmosphere and climate have low skill at predicting the reflective properties of Southern Ocean clouds. Here we investigate the properties of those clouds using satellite data and find that the cloud droplet number and cloud albedo in the Southern Ocean are related to the oceanic phytoplankton abundance near Antarctica.
Jianhao Zhang and Graham Feingold
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1073–1090, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1073-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1073-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Using observations from space, we show maps of potential brightness changes in marine warm clouds in response to increases in cloud droplet concentrations. The environmental and aerosol conditions in which these clouds reside covary differently in each ocean basin, leading to distinct evolutions of cloud brightness changes. This work stresses the central importance of the covariability between meteorology and aerosol for scaling up the radiative response of cloud brightness changes.
Yuxin Zhao, Jiming Li, Lijie Zhang, Cong Deng, Yarong Li, Bida Jian, and Jianping Huang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 743–769, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-743-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-743-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Diurnal variations of clouds play an important role in the radiative budget and precipitation. Based on satellite observations, reanalysis, and CMIP6 outputs, the diurnal variations in total cloud cover and cloud vertical distribution over the Tibetan Plateau are explored. The diurnal cycle of cirrus is a key focus and found to have different characteristics from those found in the tropics. The relationship between the diurnal cycle of cirrus and meteorological factors is also discussed.
Marcus Klingebiel, André Ehrlich, Elena Ruiz-Donoso, Nils Risse, Imke Schirmacher, Evelyn Jäkel, Michael Schäfer, Kevin Wolf, Mario Mech, Manuel Moser, Christiane Voigt, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-848, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-848, 2023
Revised manuscript accepted for ACP
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we explain how we use aircraft measurements from two Arctic research campaigns to identify cloud properties (like droplet size) over sea-ice and ice-free ocean. To make sure that our measurements make sense, we compare them with other observations. Our results show e.g. larger cloud droplets in early summer than in spring. Moreover, the cloud droplets are also larger over ice-free ocean than compared to sea-ice. In the future, our data can be used to improve climate models.
Qiang Li and Silke Groß
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15963–15980, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15963-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15963-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The IPCC report identified that cirrus clouds have a significant impact on the radiation balance comparable to the CO2 effects, which, however, is still hard to parameterize. The current study investigates the possible impact of aviation on cirrus properties based on the analysis of 10-year lidar measurements of CALIPSO. The results reveal that there is a significant positive trend in cirrus depolarization ratio in the last 10 years before COVID-19, which is strongly correlated with aviation.
Linda Forster and Bernhard Mayer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15179–15205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15179-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15179-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present a novel retrieval using ground-based imaging observations of halo displays together with radiative transfer simulations to help improve our understanding of ice crystal properties representative of cirrus clouds. Analysis of 4400 calibrated HaloCam images featuring a 22° halo revealed aggregates of hexagonal columns of 20 µm effective radius with a mixture of about 37 % smooth and 63% severely roughened surfaces as the best match in general.
Yun He, Zhenping Yin, Fuchao Liu, and Fan Yi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 13067–13085, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13067-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13067-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A method is proposed to identify the sole presence of heterogeneous nucleation and competition between heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation for dust-related cirrus clouds by characterizing the relationship between dust ice-nucleating particle concentration calculated from CALIOP using the POLIPHON method and in-cloud ice crystal number concentration from the DARDAR-Nice dataset. Two typical cirrus cases are shown as a demonstration, and the proposed method can be extended to a global scale.
Frederic Tridon, Israel Silber, Alessandro Battaglia, Stefan Kneifel, Ann Fridlind, Petros Kalogeras, and Ranvir Dhillon
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12467–12491, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12467-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12467-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The role of ice precipitation in the Earth water budget is not well known because ice particles are complex, and their formation involves intricate processes. Riming of ice crystals by supercooled water droplets is an efficient process, but little is known about its importance at high latitudes. In this work, by exploiting the deployment of an unprecedented number of remote sensing systems in Antarctica, we find that riming occurs at much lower temperatures compared with the mid-latitudes.
Leonie von Terzi, José Dias Neto, Davide Ori, Alexander Myagkov, and Stefan Kneifel
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11795–11821, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11795-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11795-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present a statistical analysis of ice microphysical processes (IMP) in mid-latitude clouds. Combining various radar approaches, we find that the IMP active at −20 to −10 °C seems to be the main driver of ice particle size, shape and concentration. The strength of aggregation at −20 to −10 °C correlates with the increase in concentration and aspect ratio of locally formed ice particles. Despite ongoing aggregation, the concentration of ice particles stays enhanced until −4 °C.
Edward Gryspeerdt, Franziska Glassmeier, Graham Feingold, Fabian Hoffmann, and Rebecca J. Murray-Watson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11727–11738, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11727-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11727-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The response of clouds to changes in aerosol remains a large uncertainty in our understanding of the climate. Studies typically look at aerosol and cloud processes in snapshot images, measuring all properties at the same time. Here we use multiple images to characterise how cloud temporal development responds to aerosol. We find a reduction in liquid water path with increasing aerosol, party due to feedbacks. This suggests the aerosol impact on cloud water may be weaker than in previous studies.
Jessica Danker, Odran Sourdeval, Isabel L. McCoy, Robert Wood, and Anna Possner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 10247–10265, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10247-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10247-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Using spaceborne lidar-radar retrievals, we show that seasonal changes in cloud phase outweigh changes in cloud-phase statistics across cloud morphologies at given cloud-top temperatures. These results show that cloud morphology does not seem to pose a primary constraint on cloud-phase statistics in the Southern Ocean. Meanwhile, larger changes in in-cloud albedo across cloud morphologies are observed in supercooled liquid rather than mixed-phase stratocumuli.
Britta Schäfer, Tim Carlsen, Ingrid Hanssen, Michael Gausa, and Trude Storelvmo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9537–9551, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9537-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9537-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Cloud properties are important for the surface radiation budget. This study presents cold-cloud observations based on lidar measurements from the Norwegian Arctic between 2011 and 2017. Using statistical assessments and case studies, we give an overview of the macro- and microphysical properties of these clouds and demonstrate the capabilities of long-term cloud observations in the Norwegian Arctic from the ground-based lidar at Andenes.
Dongwei Fu, Larry Di Girolamo, Robert M. Rauber, Greg M. McFarquhar, Stephen W. Nesbitt, Jesse Loveridge, Yulan Hong, Bastiaan van Diedenhoven, Brian Cairns, Mikhail D. Alexandrov, Paul Lawson, Sarah Woods, Simone Tanelli, Sebastian Schmidt, Chris Hostetler, and Amy Jo Scarino
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8259–8285, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8259-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8259-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Satellite-retrieved cloud microphysics are widely used in climate research because of their central role in water and energy cycles. Here, we provide the first detailed investigation of retrieved cloud drop sizes from in situ and various satellite and airborne remote sensing techniques applied to real cumulus cloud fields. We conclude that the most widely used passive remote sensing method employed in climate research produces high biases of 6–8 µm (60 %–80 %) caused by 3-D radiative effects.
Kevin M. Smalley, Matthew D. Lebsock, Ryan Eastman, Mark Smalley, and Mikael K. Witte
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8197–8219, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8197-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8197-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We use geostationary satellite observations to track pockets of open-cell (POC) stratocumulus and analyze how precipitation, cloud microphysics, and the environment change. Precipitation becomes more intense, corresponding to increasing effective radius and decreasing number concentrations, while the environment remains relatively unchanged. This implies that changes in cloud microphysics are more important than the environment to POC development.
Edward E. Hindman and Scott Lindstrom
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7995–8008, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7995-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7995-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Winds buffeting the Mt. Everest massif often produce plumes. This systematic study identified plumes from daily observations of real-time, on-line images from a geosynchronous meteorological satellite. The corresponding meteorological data were used with a cloud-forming model to show the plumes were composed, depending on the temperature, of droplets, crystals or both. They were not composed of resuspended snow, which is a common belief. We estimated the plumes may produce significant snowfall.
Zeen Zhu, Pavlos Kollias, Edward Luke, and Fan Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7405–7416, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7405-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7405-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Drizzle (small rain droplets) is an important component of warm clouds; however, its existence is poorly understood. In this study, we capitalized on a machine-learning algorithm to develop a drizzle detection method. We applied this algorithm to investigate drizzle occurrence and found out that drizzle is far more ubiquitous than previously thought. This study demonstrates the ubiquitous nature of drizzle in clouds and will improve understanding of the associated microphysical process.
Hailing Jia, Johannes Quaas, Edward Gryspeerdt, Christoph Böhm, and Odran Sourdeval
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7353–7372, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7353-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7353-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol–cloud interaction is the most uncertain component of the anthropogenic forcing of the climate. By combining satellite and reanalysis data, we show that the strength of the Twomey effect (S) increases remarkably with vertical velocity. Both the confounding effect of aerosol–precipitation interaction and the lack of vertical co-location between aerosol and cloud are found to overestimate S, whereas the retrieval biases in aerosol and cloud appear to underestimate S.
Theresa Mieslinger, Bjorn Stevens, Tobias Kölling, Manfred Brath, Martin Wirth, and Stefan A. Buehler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 6879–6898, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6879-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6879-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The trades are home to a plethora of small cumulus clouds that are often barely visible to the human eye and difficult to detect with active and passive remote sensing methods. With the help of a new method and by means of high-resolution data we can detect small and particularly thin clouds. We find that optically thin clouds are a common phenomenon in the trades, covering a large area and influencing the radiative effect of clouds if they are undetected and contaminate the cloud-free signal.
Rebecca J. Murray-Watson and Edward Gryspeerdt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5743–5756, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5743-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5743-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Clouds are important to the Arctic surface energy budget, but the impact of aerosols on their properties is largely uncertain. This work shows that the response of liquid water path to cloud droplet number increases is strongly dependent on lower tropospheric stability (LTS), with weaker cooling effects in polluted clouds and at high LTS. LTS is projected to decrease in a warmer Arctic, reducing the cooling effect of aerosols and producing a positive, aerosol-dependent cloud feedback.
Ivana Kolmašová, Ondřej Santolík, and Kateřina Rosická
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 3379–3389, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3379-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3379-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The 2014–2015 winter brought an enormous number of lightning strokes to northern Europe, about 4 times more than their long-term median over the last decade. This unusual production of lightning, concentrated above the ocean and along the western coastal areas, was probably due to a combination of large-scale climatic events like El Niño and the North Atlantic Oscillation, causing increased sea surface temperatures and updraft strengths, which acted as additional thundercloud-charging drivers.
Francisco Lang, Luis Ackermann, Yi Huang, Son C. H. Truong, Steven T. Siems, and Michael J. Manton
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2135–2152, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2135-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2135-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Marine low-level clouds cover vast areas of the Southern Ocean, and they are essential to the Earth system energy balance. We use 3 years of satellite observations to group low-level clouds by their spatial structure using a pattern-recognizing program. We studied two primary cloud type patterns, i.e. open and closed clouds. Open clouds are uniformly distributed over the storm track, while closed clouds are most predominant in the southeastern Indian Ocean. Closed clouds exhibit a daily cycle.
Tianning Su, Youtong Zheng, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 1453–1466, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1453-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1453-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
To enrich our understanding of coupling of continental clouds, we developed a novel methodology to determine cloud coupling state from a lidar and a suite of surface meteorological instruments. This method is built upon advancement in our understanding of fundamental boundary layer processes and clouds. As the first remote sensing method for determining the coupling state of low clouds over land, this methodology paves a solid ground for further investigating the coupled land–atmosphere system.
Jianhao Zhang, Xiaoli Zhou, Tom Goren, and Graham Feingold
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 861–880, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-861-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-861-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Oceanic liquid-form clouds are effective sunlight reflectors. Their brightness is highly sensitive to changes in the amount of aerosol particles in the atmosphere and the state of the atmosphere they reside in. This study quantifies this sensitivity using long-term satellite observations and finds an overall cloud brightening (a cooling effect) potential and an essential role of the covarying meteorological conditions in governing this sensitivity for northeastern Pacific stratocumulus.
Cited articles
Barker, H. W.: Overlap of fractional cloud for radiation calculations in
GCMs: A global analysis using CloudSat and CALIPSO data, J. Geophys. Res.,
113, 762–770, 2008.
Barker, H. W. and Fu, Q.: Assessment and optimization of the Gamma-weighted
two-stream approximation, J. Atmos. Sci., 57, 1181–1188, 2000.
Barker, H. W., Stephens, G. L., and Fu, Q.: The sensitivity of
domain-averaged solar fluxes to assumptions about cloud geometry, Q. J. Roy.
Meteor. Soc., 125, 2127–2152, 1999.
Chang, F. L. and Li, Z.: A New Method for Detection of Cirrus Overlapping
Water Clouds and Determination of Their Optical Properties, J. Atmos. Sci.,
62, 3993–4009, 2005a.
Chang, F. L. and Li, Z.: A near global climatology of single-layer and
overlapped clouds and their optical properties retrieved from TERRA/MODIS
data using a new algorithm, J. Climate, 18, 4752–4771, 2005b.
Chen, B. and Liu, X.: Seasonal migration of cirrus clouds over the Asian
Monsoon regions and the Tibetan Plateau measured from MODIS/Terra, Geophys.
Res. Lett., 32, 67–106, 2005.
Chen, T., Rossow, W. B., and Zhang, Y.: Radiative Effects of Cloud-Type
Variations, J. Climate, 13, 264–286, 2000.
Cheng, G. and Wu, T.: Responses of permafrost to climate change and their
environmental significance, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, J. Geophys. Res., 112,
F02S03, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JF000631, 2007.
CloudSat dataset: CloudSat 2B-GEOPROF-LIDAR and ECMWF-AUX products, available
at: http://www.cloudsat.cira.colostate.edu/order-data, last access: 23
May 2018.
Dee, D. P., Uppala, S. M., Simmons, A. J., Berrisford, P., Poli, P.,
Kobayashi, S., Andrae, U., Balmaseda, M., A. Balsamo, G., Bauer, P.,
Bechtold, P., Beljaars, A. C. M., Van De Berg, L., Bidlot, J., Bormann, N.,
Delsol, C., Dragani, R., Fuentes, M., Geer, A., J. Haimberger, L., Healy, S.
B., Hersbach, H., Hólm, E. V., Isaksen, L., Kållberg, P., Köhler,
M., Matricardi, M., McNally, A. P., Monge-Sanz, B. M., Morcrette,J. J., Park,
B. K., Peubey, C., De Rosnay, P., Tavolato, C., Thépaut, J. N., and
Vitart, F.: The ERA-Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the
data assimilation system, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 137, 553–597, 2011.
Di Giuseppe, F. and Tompkins, A. M.: Generalizing Cloud Overlap Treatment to
Include the Effect of Wind Shear, J. Atmos. Sci., 72, 2865–2876, 2015.
Duan, A. M. and Wu, G. X.: Role of the Tibetan Plateau thermal forcing in the
summer climate patterns over subtropical Asia, Clim. Dynam., 24, 793–807,
2005.
Duan, A. and Wu, G.: Change of cloud amount and the climate warming on the
Tibetan Plateau, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, 395–403, 2006.
Duan, A. and Xiao, Z.: Does the climate warming hiatus exist over the Tibetan
Plateau?, Sci. Rep.-UK, 5, 13711, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep13711, 2015.
ERA-Interim: ERA-Interim reanalysis daily 6 h products, available at:
http://www.ecmwf.int/en/research/climate-reanalysis/era-interim, last
access: 23 May 2018.
Fu, Q. and Liou, K. N.: Parameterization of the radiative properties of
cirrus clouds, J. Atmos. Sci., 50, 2008–2025, 1993.
Fu, Q., Cribb, M. C., Barker, H. W., Krueger, S. K., and Grossman, A.: Cloud
geometry effects on atmospheric solar absorption, J. Atmos. Sci., 57,
1156–1168, 2000.
Fu, Q., Baker, M., and Hartmann, D. L.: Tropical cirrus and water vapor: an
effective Earth infrared iris feedback?, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2, 31–37,
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2-31-2002, 2002.
Fujinami, H. and Yasunari, T.: The seasonal and intraseasonal variability of
diurnal cloud activity over the Tibetan Plateau, J. Meteorol. Soc. Jpn., 79,
1207–1227, 2001.
Ge, J., Zhu, Z., Zheng, C., Xie, H., Zhou, T., Huang, J., and Fu, Q.: An
improved hydrometeor detection method for millimeter-wavelength cloud radar,
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 9035–9047, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9035-2017,
2017.
Ge, J., Zheng C., Xie, H., Xin Y., Huang J., and Fu, Q.: Mid-latitude Cirrus
Cloud at the SACOL site: Macrophysical Properties and Large-Scale Atmospheric
State, J. Geophys. Res., 123, 2256–2271, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD027724, 2018.
Geleyn, J. F. and Hollingsworth, A.: An economical analytical method for the
computation of the interaction between scattering and line absorption of
radiation, Contrib. Atmos. Phys., 52, 1–16, 1979.
Guo, D. and Wang, H.: The significant climate warming in the northern Tibetan
Plateau and its possible causes, Int. J. Climatol., 32, 1775–1781,
https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.2388, 2012.
Haladay, T. and Stephens, G.: Characteristics of tropical thin cirrus clouds
deduced from joint CloudSat and CALIPSO observations, J. Geophys. Res., 114,
D00A25–D00A37, 2009.
Hartmann, D. L., Ockert-Bell, M. E., and Michelsen, M. L.: The effect of
cloud type on Earth's energy balance: Global analysis, J. Climate, 5,
1281–1304, 1992.
Hogan, R. J. and Illingworth, A. J.: Deriving cloud overlap statistics from
radar, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 126, 2903–2909, 2000.
Huang, J. P.: Analysis of ice water path retrieval errors over tropical
ocean, Adv. Atmos. Sci., 23, 165–180, 2006.
Huang, J. P., Minnis, P., and Lin, B.: Advanced retrievals of multilayered
cloud properties using multispectral measurements, J. Geophys. Res., 110,
D15S18, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005101, 2005.
Huang, J. P., Minnis, P., and Lin, B.: Determination of ice water path in
ice- over-water cloud systems using combined MODIS and AMSR-E measurements,
Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L21801, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027038, 2006.
Jing, X., Zhang, H., Peng, J., Li, J., and Barker, H. W.: Cloud overlapping
parameter obtained from CloudSat/CALIPSO dataset and its application in AGCM
with McICA scheme, Atmos. Res., 170, 52–65, 2016.
Kang, S., Xu, Y., You, Q., Flügel, W. A., Pepin, N., and Yao, T.: Review
of climate and cryospheric change in the Tibetan Plateau, Environ. Res.
Lett., 5, 015101, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/5/1/015101, 2010.
Kato, S., Sun-Mack, S., Miller, W. F., Rose, F. G., Chen, Y., Minnis, P., and
Wielicki, B. A.: Relationships among cloud occurrence frequency, overlap, and
effective thickness derived from CALIPSO and CloudSat merged cloud vertical
profiles, J. Geophys. Res., 115, 1–28, 2010.
Kawamoto, K. and Suzuki, K.: Microphysical transition in water clouds Over
the Amazon and China derived from spaceborne radar and Radiometer data, J.
Geophys. Res., 117, D05212, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD016412, 2012.
Li, J., Hu, Y., Huang, J., Stamnes, K., Yi, Y., and Stamnes, S.: A new method
for retrieval of the extinction coefficient of water clouds by using the tail
of the CALIOP signal, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 2903–2916,
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-2903-2011, 2011a.
Li, J., Yi, Y., Minnis, P., Huang, J., Yan, H., Ma, Y., Wang, W., and Ayers,
K.: Radiative effect differences between multi-layered and single-layer
clouds derived from CERES, CALIPSO, and CloudSat data, J. Quant. Spectrosc.
Ra., 112, 361–375, 2011b.
Li, J., Huang, J., Stamnes, K., Wang, T., Lv, Q., and Jin, H.: A global
survey of cloud overlap based on CALIPSO and CloudSat measurements, Atmos.
Chem. Phys., 15, 519–536, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-519-2015, 2015.
Li, Y., Liu, X., and Chen B.: Cloud type climatology over the Tibetan
Plateau: A comparison of ISCCP and MODIS/TERRA measurements with surface
observations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L17716, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL026890,
2006.
Li, Y. Y. and Zhang, M.: Cumulus over the Tibetan Plateau in the summer based
on CloudSat–CALIPSO data, J. Climate, 29, 1219–1230,
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-15-0492.1, 2016.
Mace, G. G. and Benson-Troth, S.: Cloud-Layer Overlap Characteristics Derived
from Long-Term Cloud Radar Data, J. Climate, 15, 2505–2515, 2002.
Mace, G. G. and Zhang, Q.: The CloudSat radar-lidar geometrical profile
product (RL-GeoProf): Updates, improvements, and selected results, J.
Geophys. Res., 119, 9441–9462, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JD021374, 2014.
Mace, G. G., Zhang, Q., Vaughan, M., Marchand, R., Stephens, G., Trepte, C.,
and Winker, D.: A description of hydrometeor layer occurrence statistics
derived from the first year of merged CloudSat and CALIPSO data, J. Geophys.
Res., 114, D00A26, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD009755, 2009.
Morcrette, J. J. and Fouquart, Y.: The Overlapping of Cloud Layers in
Shortwave Radiation Parameterizations, J. Atmos. Sci., 43, 321–328, 1986.
Morcrette, J. J. and Jakob, C.: The response of the ECMWF model to changes in
the cloud overlap assumption, Mon. Wea. Rev., 128, 1707–1732, 2000.
Naud, C. M., Del Genio, A., Mace, G. G., Benson, S., Clothiaux, E. E., and
Kollias, P.: Impact of dynamics and atmospheric state on cloud vertical
overlap, J. Climate, 21, 1758–1770, 2008.
Oreopoulos, L. and Norris, P. M.: An analysis of cloud overlap at a
midlatitude atmospheric observation facility, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11,
5557–5567, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5557-2011, 2011.
Oreopoulos, L. and Khairoutdinov, M.: Overlap properties of clouds generated
by a cloud-resolving model, J. Geophys. Res., 108, 4479,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JD003329, 2003.
Partain, P.: Cloudsat ECMWF-AUX auxiliary data process description and
interface control document, Coop. Inst. for Res. in the Atmos., Colo. State
Univ., Fort Collins, 2004.
Pincus, R., Hannay, C., Klein, S. A., Xu, K. M., and Hemler, R.: Overlap
assumptions for assumed probability distribution function cloud schemes in
large-scale models, J. Geophys. Res., 110, D15S09,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005100, 2005.
Shonk, J. K., Hogan, R. J., Edwards, J. M., and Mace, G. G.: Effect of
improving representation of horizontal and vertical cloud structure on the
Earth's global radiation budget. Part I: Review and parametrization, Q. J.
Roy. Meteor. Soc., 136, 1191–1204, 2010.
Shonk, J. K. P., Hogan, R. J., and Manners, J.: Impact of improved
representation of horizontal and vertical cloud structure in a climate model,
Clim. Dynam., 38, 2365–2376, 2014.
Stephens, G. L., Vane, D. G., Boain, R. J., Mace, G. G., Sassen, K., Wang,
Z., Illingworth, A. J., O'Connor, E. J., Rossow, W. B., Durden, S. L.,
Miller, S. D., Austin, R. T., Benedetti, A., Mitrescu, C., and CloudSat
Science Team.: The CloudSat mission and the A-Train, A new dimension of
space-based observations of clouds and precipitation, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc.,
83, 1771–1790, 2002.
Taniguchi, K. and Koike, T.: Seasonal variation of cloud activity and
atmospheric profiles over the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau, J.
Geophys. Res., 113, 523–531, 2008.
Tompkins, A. and Giuseppe, F. D.: An interpretation of cloud overlap
statistics, J. Atmos. Sci., 72, 2877–2889, 2015.
Verlinden, K. L., Thompson, D. W. J., and Stephens, G. L.: The
Three-Dimensional Distribution of Clouds over the Southern Hemisphere High
Latitudes, J. Climate, 24, 5799–5811, 2011.
Wang, B., Bao, Q., Hoskins, B., Wu, G., and Liu, Y.: Tibetan Plateau warming
and precipitation changes in East Asia, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L14702,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL034330, 2008.
Wang, M. Y., Gu, J., Yang, R., Zeng, L., and Wang, S.: Comparison of cloud
type and frequency over China from surface, FY-2E, and CloudSat observations,
in: Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Clouds, and Precipitation, edited by:
Im, E., Yang, S., and Zhang, P., International Society for Optical
Engineering, SPIE Proceedings, Vol. 9259, 925913, https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2069110,
2014.
Wang, W., Huang, J., Minnis, P., Hu, Y., Li, J., Huang, Z., Ayers, J. K., and
Wang, T.: Dusty cloud properties and radiative forcing over dust source and
downwind regions derived from A-Train data during the Pacific Dust
Experiment, J. Geophys. Res., 115, D00H35, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JD014109, 2010.
Weger, R. C., Lee, J., Zhu, T., and Welch, R. M.: Clustering, randomness and
regularity in cloud fields: 1. Theoretical considerations, J. Geophys. Res.,
97, 20519–20536, https://doi.org/10.1029/92JD02038, 1992.
Willén, U., Crewell, S., Baltink, H. K., and Sievers, O.: Assessing model
predicted vertical cloud structure and cloud overlap with radar and lidar
ceilometer observations for the Baltex Bridge Campaign of CLIWA-NET, Atmos.
Res., 75, 227–255, 2005.
Winker, D. M., Hunt, W. H., and McGill, M. J.: Initial performance assessment
of CALIOP, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, 228–262, 2007.
Wu, G., Duan, A., Liu, Y., Mao, J., Ren, R., Bao, Q., He, B., Liu, B., and
Hu, W.: Tibetan Plateau climate dynamics: recent research progress and
outlook, Natl. Sci. Rev., 2, 100–116, 2015.
Wu, H., Yang, K., Niu, X., and Chen, Y.: The role of cloud height and warming
in the decadal weakening of atmospheric heat source over the Tibetan Plateau,
Sci. China Ser. D., 58, 395–403, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-014-4973-6, 2015.
Xu, X., Lu, C., Shi, X., and Gao, S.: World water tower: An atmospheric
perspective, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, 525–530, 2008.
Yan, H., Li, Z., Huang, J., Cribb, M., and Liu, J.: Long-term
aerosol-mediated changes in cloud radiative forcing of deep clouds at the top
and bottom of the atmosphere over the Southern Great Plains, Atmos. Chem.
Phys., 14, 7113–7124, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-7113-2014, 2014.
Yan, Y., Liu, Y., and Lu, J.: Cloud vertical structure, precipitation, and
cloud radiative effects over Tibetan Plateau and its neighboring regions, J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 121, 5864–5877, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JD024591, 2016.
Yanai, M., Li, C. F., and Song, Z. S.: Seasonal heating of the Tibetan
Plateau and its effects on the evolution of the Asian summer monsoon, J.
Meteorol. Soc. Jpn., 70, 319–351, 1992.
Yang, K., Guo, X., He, J., Qin, J., and Koike, T.: On the climatology and
trend of the atmospheric heat source over the Tibetan Plateau: an
experiments-supported revisit, J. Climate, 24, 1525–1541, 2011.
Yang, K., Ding, B., Qin, J., Tang, W., Lu, N., and Lin, C.: Can aerosol
loading explain the solar dimming over the Tibetan Plateau?, Geophys. Res.
Lett., 39, L20710, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL053733, 2012.
Yang, K., Wu, H., Qin, J., Lin, C., Tang, W., and Chen, Y.: Recent climate
changes over the Tibetan Plateau and their impacts on energy and water cycle:
A review, Global Planet. Change, 112, 79–91, 2014.
Ye, D. Z. and Wu, G. X.: The role of the heat source of the Tibetan Plateau
in the general circulation, Meteorol. Atmos. Phys., 67, 181–198,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01277509, 1998.
Yoo, H., Li, Z., You, Y., Lord, S., Weng, F., and Barker, H. W.: Diagnosis
and testing of low-level cloud parameterizations for the NCEP/GFS model
satellite and ground-based measurements, Clim. Dynam., 41, 1595–1613,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-013-1884-8, 2013.
You, Q., Jiao, Y., Lin, H., Min, J., Kang, S., Ren, G., and Meng, X.:
Comparison of NCEP/NCAR and ERA-40 total cloud cover with surface
observations over the Tibetan Plateau, Int. J. Climatol., 34, 2529–2537,
2014.
Zhang, D., Luo, T., Liu, D., and Wang, Z.: Spatial Scales of Altocumulus
Clouds Observed with Collocated CALIPSO and CloudSat Measurements, Atmos.
Res., 148, 58–69, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2014.05.023, 2014.
Zhang, H. and Jing, X. W.: Effect of cloud overlap assumptions in climate
models on modeled earth-atmophere radiative fields, Chinese Journal of
Atmospheric Sciences, 34, 520–532, 2010.
Zhang, H. and Jing, X.: Advances in studies of cloud overlap and its
radiative transfer in climate models, J. Meteorol. Res.-PRC, 30, 156–168,
2016.
Zhang, H., Peng, J., Jing, X., and Li, J.: The features of cloud overlapping
in Eastern Asia and their effect on cloud radiative forcing, Science China
Earth Sciences, 56, 737–747, 2013.
Zhao, C. F., Liu, L. P., Wang, Q. Q., Qiu, Y. M., Wang, W., Wang, Y., and
Fan, T. Y.: Toward Understanding the Properties of High Ice Clouds at the
Naqu Site on the Tibetan Plateau Using Ground-Based Active Remote Sensing
Measurements Obtained during a Short Period in July 2014, J. Appl. Meteorol.
Clim., 55, 2493–2507, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-16-0038.1, 2016.
Zhao, C. F., Liu, L. P., Wang, Q. Q., Qiu, Y. M., Wang, Y., and Wu, X. L.:
MMCR-based characteristic properties of non-precipitating cloud liquid
droplets at Naqu site over Tibetan Plateau in July 2014, Atmos. Res., 190,
68–76, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.02.002, 2017.
Zhu, L., Xie, M., and Wu, Y.: Quantitative analysis of lake area variations
and the influence factors from 1971 to 2004 in the Nam Co basin of the
Tibetan Plateau, Chinese Sci. Bull. 55, 1294–1303, 2010.
Short summary
The accurate representation of cloud vertical overlap in atmospheric models is very important for predicting the total cloud cover and calculating the radiative budget. We propose a valid scheme for quantifying the degree of overlap over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). The new scheme parameterizes decorrelation length scale L as a function of wind shear and atmospheric stability and improves the simulation of total cloud cover over TP when the separations between cloud layers are greater than 1 km.
The accurate representation of cloud vertical overlap in atmospheric models is very important...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint