| Session Details | |
| Section | AS - Atmospheric Sciences |
| Session Title | Aerosol-cloud-precipitation-climate Interactions and Climate Feedbacks: Observations and Models |
| Main Convener | Dr. Benjamin Grandey (Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore) |
| Co-convener(s) | Dr. Karsten Peters (Monash University, Australia) Dr. Chien Wang (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States) Prof. Yong-Sang Choi (Ewha Womans University, Korea, South) Prof. Roberto Rondanelli (University of Chile, Chile) |
| Session Description | Aerosols scatter and absorb radiation in the Earth’s atmosphere, having the potential to impact atmospheric dynamics and climate. Furthermore, many aerosols also act as cloud condensation nuclei. Dynamical and microphysical interactions between aerosols, clouds and precipitation are associated with some of the largest uncertainties in projections of future climate. Anthropogenic aerosols may already be impacting precipitation in South Asia, South-East Asia and East Asia. Many possible aerosol effects on clouds, precipitation and climate have been suggested in the past decades, but large uncertainties remain. In order to narrow uncertainty associated with model projections of future climate, it is essential that we improve our quantitative understanding of anthropogenic aerosol effects. Several studies investigating interactions between satellite-retrieved aerosol, cloud and precipitation properties have been published in recent years. However, the observed relationships are not necessarily due to aerosol effects on clouds and dynamics. They may be due to cloud and precipitation effects on aerosol, meteorological covariation, observational data errors or methodological errors. Further observational analysis and modeling studies are required. The aim of this session is to explore recent advances in the understanding of aerosol-cloud-precipitation-climate interactions. The scope encompasses studies exploring aerosol interactions with either cloud, precipitation, atmospheric dynamics or other aspects of climate, or any combination of these. Submissions concerning modeling or observational efforts, or a combination of both, are equally welcome. |