Abstract
Abstract. The impact of Asian dust on cloud radiative forcing during 2003–2006 is studied by using the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy Budget Scanner (CERES) data and the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model. Analysis of satellite data shows that the dust aerosol significantly reduced the cloud cooling effect at TOA. In dust contaminated cloudy regions, the 4-year mean values of the instantaneous shortwave, longwave and net cloud radiative forcing are −138.9, 69.1, and −69.7 Wm−2, which are 57.0, 74.2, and 46.3%, respectively, of the corresponding values in pristine cloudy regions. The satellite-retrieved cloud properties are significantly different in the dusty regions and can influence the radiative forcing indirectly. The contributions to the cloud radiation forcing by the dust direct, indirect and semi-direct effects are estimated using combined satellite observations and Fu-Liou model simulation. The 4-year mean value of combination of dust indirect and semi-direct shortwave radiative forcing (SWRF) is 82.2 Wm−2, which is 78.4% of the total dust effect. The dust direct effect is only 22.7 Wm−2, which is 21.6% of the total effect. Because both first and second indirect effects enhance cloud cooling, the aerosol-induced cloud warming is mainly the result of the semi-direct effect of dust.
Highlights
It is well known that aerosols have a profound impact on the global and regional climate
By examining the influence of Asian dust aerosols on the radiative forcing both at the TOA and the surface, this study should lead to a better understanding of the interactions among dust aerosols, clouds and radiation
Most previous analyses of aerosol radiative forcing were limited to clear sky only
Summary
It is well known that aerosols have a profound impact on the global and regional climate. Aerosols can reflect and absorb the incoming solar radiation, which is called the aerosol direct radiative effect Huang et al (2006a) studied the impacts of dust storms on cloud properties and radiative forcing (RF) using data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) instruments on the Aqua and Terra satellites. By examining the influence of Asian dust aerosols on the radiative forcing both at the TOA and the surface, this study should lead to a better understanding of the interactions among dust aerosols, clouds and radiation
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