MMOCCAA - Modelling the Modification of Convective Clouds due to Anthropogenic Aerosol

People: Ken Carslaw, Stewart Davies, Zhiqiang Cui,  Alan Blyth

Start Date: January 2005 
End Date: December 2007

Funded by: NERC

Abstract

Changes in the composition and size distribution of aerosols in the atmosphere caused by anthropogenic emissions are known to significantly alter the microphysics, dynamics and large-scale properties of clouds. These changes affect the climate through radiative, hydrological and dynamical forcings. The effect of aerosol changes on convective clouds and the impact of the cloud response on the climate system is poorly understood. MMOCCAA will develop a comprehensive picture of the response of deep convective clouds to changes in aerosol that takes into account the global variability of aerosol properties and meteorological conditions. Model calculations using detailed microphysical models and cloud resolving models will be evaluated against a wide range of observations. Large domain simulations will be used to examine the influence of aerosol properties on the organisation and intensity of tropical convection, which are key drivers of the climate system.