The Effect of Cloud Processes on Microphysical and Optical Properties in Oceanic Stratocumulus

Download or read book The Effect of Cloud Processes on Microphysical and Optical Properties in Oceanic Stratocumulus written by Jayson D. Stemmler and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 73 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stratocumulus (Sc) clouds, particularly over the ocean, play a large role in the radiative budget of the Earth. Understanding how Sc properties can be modified by internal cloud processes is important to the greater understanding of the region. Research flights during VOCALS-REx were examined and individual mesoscale features ("cloud cells") were identified in order to assess the effect of mesoscale cloud processes on cloud microphysics and optical properties. This analysis reveals common behavior and relationships between cloud properties, particularly between liquid water content (LWC), cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC), and temperature. These properties tend to peak near cell center and taper towards the edge. Since variations in LWC and CDNC across the cell significantly impact cloud albedo, processes which modify LWC and CDNC are of particular interest. One particular mesoscale feature from research flight (RF) 05 is examined in detail. The effects of cloud-top entrainment mixing, drizzle scavenging of cloud droplets, and cloud-top radiative cooling on this particular cell are each explored. The combined effect of entrainment mixing and drizzle scavenging is shown to have a significant impact on LWC and CDNC, while radiative cooling is responsible for cooling the cloud cell.