Cloud microphysical relationships in California marine stratus

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1995 · Journal of Applied Meteorology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1995)034<2655:CMRICM>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:274048

Hudson, J G ^[1]; Svensson, G ^[2]

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1. Univ. and Community College System of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States)
2. Uppsala Univ. (Sweden)

Cloud microphysical measurements off the southern California coast are presented and compared with in situ airborne measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectra. Large-scale variations in cloud droplet concentrations were due to CCN variations, some medium-scale variations may be a result of the conversion of droplets to drops by coalescence, while small-scale variations were due to different proportions of the CCN spectra being activated because of variations in updraft velocity at cloud base. This latter internal mixing process produces an inverse relationship between droplet concentration and mean size and an increase in droplet spectral width with mean droplet size. Drizzle drop concentrations are strongly associated with lower droplet concentrations, larger droplets, and greater droplet spectral width. 29 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs.

• DOE Contract Number: FG08-90ER61012; FG03-93ER61647
• OSTI ID: 274048
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Meteorology, Vol. 34, Issue 12; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CONDENSATION NUCLEI
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
CLOUDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
AEROSOL WASTES
PARTICLE SIZE
DROPLETS
WASHOUT
ACID RAIN
CLIMATIC CHANGE
SUPERSATURATION