Satellite-Based Detection of Secondary Droplet Activation in Convective Clouds

Avichay Efraim*, Oliver Lauer, Daniel Rosenfeld, Ramon C. Braga, Marco A. Franco, Leslie A. Kremper, Yannian Zhu, Ulrich Pöschl, Christopher Pöhlker, Meinrat O. Andreae, Paulo Artaxo, Alessandro C. de Araújo, Mira L. Pöhlker*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a new approach of analyzing and interpreting vertical profiles of cloud microstructure obtained by satellite remote sensing. The method is based on a spectral bin microphysics adiabatic parcel model and aims to elucidate the effects of aerosols on the evolution of convective clouds and related microphysical processes, including the activation of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), the growth of cloud droplets, and the formation of precipitation. Characteristic features in the vertical profiles of effective radius (re) and temperature (T) reveal different microphysical zones in convective clouds related to the change increase of re with decreasing T. The classification of the different microphysical zones includes the (a) condensational growth of droplets, (b) growth by coalescence, (c) rainout, (d) secondary droplet activation zone (SAZ), (e) mixed-phase of ice particles and water droplets, and (f) glaciation of the cloud. The detection of the SAZ is introduced here for the first time. This method allows us to identify the activation of aerosol particles above cloud base and their role in the invigoration of deep convective clouds.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2022JD036519
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Volume127
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022. The Authors.

Keywords

  • clouds
  • convection
  • parcel model
  • remote sensing

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