Datensatz

Zusammenfassung

In our study, we aim to examine the impact of realistic CCN (Cloud condensation nuclei) and INP (Ice nucleating particles) perturbation scenarios on the microphysical evolution of stratiform mixed-phase clouds using the spectral-bin microphysical model setup AMPS (Advanced Microphysics Prediction System) in conjunction with KID (Kinematic Driver) model. The coupled KID-AMPS model includes complex cloud microphysical processes and considers different ice shapes, densities, and habits. The radar forward operator PAMTRA (Passive and Active Microwave Tropospheric RAinfall Retrieval) is used to transfer the simulations into observations space. Our study is focused on standard mixed-phase clouds with a cloud-top temperature of -20°C and a typical vertical velocity distribution. The formation of the ice phase in the cloud layer was simulated for different CCN and INP loads, varying from 10cm^-3 to 500cm^-3 and 10^-3L^-1 to 10L ^-1, respectively. The CCN and INP perturbations resulted in significant modifications of the simulated ice water content and associated ice microphysics. The forward simulation of the model results with PAMTRA revealed significant contrasts in the order of several dBZ for the different INP loads. In conclusion, our numerical study provides evidence that current state-of-the-art cloud radar systems can capture INP-related impacts on mixed-phase cloud properties when other cloud microphysical parameters, such as liquid water content, turbulence, and temperature are sufficiently constrained.