Publication Date:
2014-04-03
Description:
ABSTRACT The number of activated cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) into cloud drops at the base of convective clouds (N a ) is retrieved based on high resolution (375 m) satellite retrievals of vertical profiles of convective cloud drop effective radius (r e ). The maximum cloud base supersaturation (S) is calculated when N a is combined with radar measured updraft, and yields CCN(S), which was validated well against ground base CCN measurements during conditions of well mixed boundary layer over the DOE/ASR SGP site. Satellite retrieving N a is a new capability, which is one essential component of simultaneous measurements of cloud microstructure and CCN from space by using clouds as natural CCN chambers. This has to be complemented by a methodology for satellite estimates of cloud base updraft, which is yet to be developed and demonstrated. In the mean time, the retrieved N a can be used for assimilation of the combined CCN and updraft effects on clouds in models.
Print ISSN:
0094-8276
Electronic ISSN:
1944-8007
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
