Retrieval of cloud liquid water path using radiosonde measurements: Comparison with MODIS and ERA5

Abstract

The phase of clouds plays a vital role in determining how clouds interact with the radiation. In this study, long-term radiosonde observations have been used to detect cloud layers and the liquid water path (LWP) is retrieved. The detected cloud layers are verified with the independent observations. All types of clouds shown similar diurnal variation. High occurrence of mixed clouds is observed in all the seasons. The retrieved LWP of liquid water clouds is in good agreement with those obtained from MODIS and ERA5. LWP estimated can be effectively used in various investigations in the absence of any direct observations.