Dependence of 'critical cloud fraction' on aerosol composition. (10th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eswaran, K.; Satheesh, S. K.; Srinivasan, J.
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric science letters. Volume 16:Number 3(2015:Jul./Sep.)
• Page Start: 380
• Page End: 385
• Publication Date: 2015-03-10
• Subjects: Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/asl2.571
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1530-261X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="asl2571-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p id="asl2571-para-0001">Recent studies, over regions influenced by biomass burning aerosol, have shown that it is possible to define a 'critical cloud fraction' (CCF) at which the aerosol direct radiative forcing switch from a cooling to a warming effect. Using 4 years of multi‐satellite data analysis, we show that CCF varies with aerosol composition and changed from 0.28 to 0.13 from postmonsoon to winter as a result of shift from less absorbing to moderately absorbing aerosol. Our results indicate that we can estimate aerosol absorption from space using independently measured top of the atmosphere (TOA) fluxes [Cloud Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization‐Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer‐Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CALIPSO‐MODIS‐CERES)] combined algorithms for example.</p> </abstract>