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Entrainment, Drizzle, and Cloud AlbedoIncreased aerosol and hence droplet concentrations in polluted clouds are expected to inhibit precipitation and thereby increase cloud water, leading to more reflective clouds that partially offset global warming. Yet polluted clouds are not generally observed to hold more water. Much of the uncertainty regarding the indirect aerosol effect stems from inadequate understanding of such changes in cloud water. Detailed simulations show that the relative humidity of air overlying stratocumulus is a leading factor determining whether cloud water increases or decreases when precipitation is suppressed. When the overlying air is dry, cloud water can decrease as droplet concentrations increase.
Document ID
20040081061
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ackerman, A. S.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Kirkpatrick, J. P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Stevens, D. E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Toon, O. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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