Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1725
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1725
21 Jun 2024
 | 21 Jun 2024

The Impact of Aerosol on Cloud Water: A Heuristic Perspective

Fabian Hoffmann, Franziska Glassmeier, and Graham Feingold

Abstract. Aerosol-cloud interactions modulate the role of clouds in Earth's climate. We derive, evaluate, and apply a simple model to understand aerosol-mediated cloud water adjustments in stratocumulus based on only two prognostic equations for the integrated cloud water L and droplet number concentration N. The model is solved numerically and analytically, and agrees well with documented large-eddy simulation data and satellite retrievals. A tight relationship between adjustments at low and high N is found, revealing the influence of non-precipitation processes (primarily entrainment) on adjustments in precipitating clouds. Furthermore, it is shown that adjustments in non-precipitating clouds tend to be positively biased by external L or N perturbations, while adjustments in precipitating clouds are barely susceptible. By deliberately reducing the complexity of the underlying system, this study constitutes a way forward to facilitate process-level understanding of cloud water adjustments.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

05 Dec 2024
The impact of aerosol on cloud water: a heuristic perspective
Fabian Hoffmann, Franziska Glassmeier, and Graham Feingold
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13403–13412, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13403-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13403-2024, 2024
Short summary
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Clouds constitute a major cooling influence on Earth's climate system by reflecting a large...
Share