The effect of cloud microphysics on climate sensitivity. Progress report, July 15, 1990--July 14, 1992

Abstract

Clouds play an important role in the climate system through radiative energy redistribution. The cloud radiative properties change if the cloud droplet size spectrum changes. This research shows that the climate is very sensitive to cloud water path and equivalent radius. To explore this issue, an accurate parameterization of cloud radiative properties for the purpose of climate modeling has been developed. A one-dimensional radiative convective model with a comprehensive radiative transfer scheme using the new parameterization of cloud radiative properties has also been developed to investigate the climate sensitivity to changes in cloud microphysics. By looking at clouds with different size distributions, we find that for clouds with the same cloud water amount and equivalent radius, the cloud radiative properties are essentially the same. Thus cloud radiative properties depend primarily on equivalent radius and are independent of the details of the size distribution. Our parameterization allows these two parameters to change independently. A sensitivity study has been performed, to consider cloud droplet size. First, we looked at cloud radiative forcing. The results show that the cloud radiative forcing is indeed very sensitive to the changes in cloud equivalent radius. Secondly, we have looked at the response of equilibrium temperature to changes in cloud equivalent radius. This sensitivity study suggests that in climate models, an interactive cloud parameterization is needed, in which cloud water amount and equivalent radius are predicted independently.