Resolving Inhomogeneous Cloud Microphysics Through Cloud‐Top Observations of Blue Corona Discharges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding cloud‐top microphysics is essential for improving weather forecasting and convection monitoring. In this study, we propose a simplified cloud scattering light model to analyze the influence of inhomogeneities in the cloud microphysical properties on the observations of blue corona discharges (BLUEs) from Atmosphere‐Space Interactions Monitor. The results show that the depth inferred from the inhomogeneous model is consistently lower than that from the homogeneous model, with the largest difference reaching 2 km. We then present a new approach to inferring inhomogeneous cloud microphysical profiles based on the optical signals from BLUEs using radio‐inferred source depths. These profiles match well with Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation lidar measurements and show a transition nearby tropopause with different exponential change rates above and below it. Our study highlights the potential of combining optical and radio observations of BLUEs to rapidly assess cloud microphysics and monitor convective activity.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl116520

Authors: Dongshuai Li, Alejandro Luque, Eric C. Bruning, Torsten Neubert, Olivier Chanrion, Yanan Zhu, F. J. Gordillo‐Vázquez, Nikolai Østgaard

Institutions: DTU Space, Eindhoven University of Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, Texas Tech University, Earth Networks (United States), University of Bergen

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric aerosols and clouds

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funders: European Space Agency, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Agencia Estatal de Investigación

OpenAlex ID: W4413989416