Work

The role of cloud glaciation in modulating aerosol susceptibility: insights from cold-air outbreak stratiform clouds over the Northwest Pacific

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aerosol susceptibility (AS) of clouds refers to their sensitivity to increases in condensation nuclei (CN) concentration. This study investigates AS in marine boundary layer clouds that occur during cold-air outbreaks, where ice particles are often present. In warm clouds, the AS of cloud albedo (precipitation) remains positive (negative); however, this sensitivity weakens as CN concentration increases. In mixed-phase clouds, AS becomes less pronounced and does not follow a consistent trend due to the positive response of snow growth to rising CN levels. Aside from microphysical responses, cloud fraction -- a macro-physical feature -- also shows susceptibility to aerosol effects. As CN increases, cloud fraction tends to decrease, which can mitigate up to one-third of the cloud albedo AS in warm clouds and three-fourths in mixed-phase clouds.

Source: Geoscience Letters

DOI: 10.1186/s40562-025-00418-1

Authors: Chung-Kai Wu, Jen-Ping Chen

Institutions: National Taiwan University, Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric aerosols and clouds

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,390