Fundamental Studies of Aerosol/Boundary Layer Cloud Interactions and Development of Parameterizations Including Those Processes

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The goal of this project is to better understand the complex interactions among aerosols, cloud dynamics, and precipitation processes, and cloud radiative properties of boundary layer stratus, stratocumulus, and cumuli over water and over land surfaces. Using guidance from the results of large-eddy simulations (LES) with bin-resolving microphysics, the PIs seek to develop a unified cloud boundary layer parameterization scheme that can accurately represent solid stratus layers, cumulus-topped boundary layers, and cumulus under stratus layers. They will also explore the response of these clouds to varying concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), ultra-giant aerosols, and ice forming nuclei (IFN). The specific tasks are to: (1) examine the influence of aerosols entrained from the overlying stable layer into the cloudy boundary layer on the radiative properties of the cloud layer; (2) develop a mass-flux convective plume-type single-column model of the cloud-capped boundary layer that is interfaced to a cloud microphysics scheme including dynamically active aerosols (CCN); (3) perform simulations of the cloudy boundary layer over land using an LES model with bin-resolving microphysics and coupled to a land surface soil/vegetation model; and (4) participate in both LES and single-column model intercomparisons through workshops organized under the GEWEX Cloud System Studies (GCSS) Working Group on Boundary Layer Clouds. The research is supported as part of NSF's Water and Energy: Atmospheric, Vegetative, and Earth Interactions (WEAVE) effort.