| Session Details | |
| Section | AS - Atmospheric Sciences |
| Session Title | Aerosols, Clouds, Radiation, Precipitation, and Their Interactions |
| Main Convener | Prof. Xiquan Dong (University of North Dakota, United States) |
| Co-convener(s) | Prof. Terry Nakajima (The University of Tokyo, Japan) Prof. Soon-Chang Yoon (Seoul National University, Korea, South) |
| Session Description | Aerosols, clouds, and precipitation have been classified as the highest priority processes in climate change studies by IPCC WG1 evaluation, U.S. Climate Change Research Initiative, and others because they are the main sources producing the largest uncertainty in predicting future climates. Aerosols are a key factor affacting climate radiation balance and cloud particle sizes and lifetimes, The atmospheric radiation at surface, within the atmosphere, and at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) is dominantly modulated by clouds. Precipitation redistributes energy and fresh water of the climate system and is the most important element for the biosphere. Characterizing their effects on the energy and hydrological cycle and understanding the interactions of aerosols, clouds, and precipitation are critical for weather forecast and climate models. Significant improvements are needed, which requires advanced observations and modelings in a range of spatial and temporal scales. This session solicits observational and modeling studies on aerosols, clouds, precipitation, radiation, and their interactions. Presentations using an integrated analysis of observations (long-term surface and satellite observations, as well as aircraft in situ measureemnts), and modeling efforts (CRM/SCM/GCM/forecast), that address the interactions among these processes and the climate feedbacks through the effects of aerosols and clouds on radiation, precipitation, and moisture fields, are particularly encouraged. |