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Title: Contribution to the cloud droplet effective radius parameterization

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92GL02283· OSTI ID:7066217
;  [1]
  1. Univ. des Antilles et de la Guyane, Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe)

An analytic cloud droplet effective radius expression is derived and validated by using field experiment microphysical data. This expression shows that the effective radius depends simultaneously upon the cloud liquid water content, droplet concentration and droplet spectral dispersion. It further suggests that the variability in these parameters present at all scales, due to turbulent mixing and secondary droplet activation, could limit the accuracy of the effective radius parameterizations used in climate models. 12 refs.

OSTI ID:
7066217
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Vol. 19:22; ISSN 0094-8276
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English