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Title: Observational constraint on cloud susceptibility weakened by aerosol retrieval limitations

Journal Article · · Nature Communications

Model estimates of aerosol impacts on climate frequently exceed observational estimates. Conventional evaluation procedures generally neglect sampling and retrieval differences that confound interpretation of discrepancies. Here we show that satellite simulators can reconcile differences between modeled and retrieved estimates of aerosol climate impacts. A-­train satellite simulators overflying the model atmosphere matching satellite retrieval procedures moderately underestimate the model’s total aerosol direct radiative effect and significantly underestimate anthropogenic aerosol indirect effects (by a factor of 3). Model cloud droplet size and precipitation probability retrieved from simulators indicate significantly less sensitivity to aerosols than the real model sensitivity, exhibiting much better agreement with satellite estimates. While climate models are still likely to have substantial deficiencies in representing aerosol­climate interactions, inconsistent comparisons between modeled and observed estimates can lead to inappropriate model calibration, development, and interpretation. Simulators are a necessary tool for comparing models and satellite estimates of aerosol climate effects.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1463346
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1513205
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-118058; PII: 5028
Journal Information:
Nature Communications, Vol. 9, Issue 1; ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 29 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (7)

Incorporation of inline warm rain diagnostics into the COSP2 satellite simulator for process-oriented model evaluation journal January 2019
How do aerosols affect cloudiness? journal February 2019
Cloud physics from space
  • Stephens, Graeme L.; Christensen, Matthew; Andrews, Timothy
  • Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, Vol. 145, Issue 724 https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.3589
journal August 2019
Analysis of polarimetric satellite measurements suggests stronger cooling due to aerosol-cloud interactions journal November 2019
Site representativity of AERONET and GAW remotely sensed aerosol optical thickness and absorbing aerosol optical thickness observations journal January 2020
Snow-induced buffering in aerosol–cloud interactions journal January 2020
Aerosol–cloud closure study on cloud optical properties using remotely piloted aircraft measurements during a BACCHUS field campaign in Cyprus journal January 2019

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