Clouds and Climate

Clouds are important to climate because they strongly modulate incoming solar and outgoing thermal radiation. Clouds, as the source of precipitation, are also a key element in the hydrologic cycle. Clouds are currently under intense scrutiny by researchers to gain a better understanding of their role in our environment. This knowledge is needed for better predictions of climate change, to guide policy in ameliorating or adjusting to change, and to provide better stewardship of our water resources.

Arctic sunset at SHEBA.

Arctic Clouds

The Arctic region is one of the most complicated yet under-investigated environments on Earth.

• Why should we study the Arctic?
• Why do we need to study clouds in the Arctic?
• What will improve our knowledge of the Arctic and its climate?
• What are we doing to better understand Arctic clouds and their affect on the surface?

• An annual cycle of Arctic cloud characteristics observed by radar and lidar at SHEBA
  Journal of Geophysical Research
• An annual cycle of Arctic surface cloud forcing at SHEBA
  Journal of Geophysical Research

Tropical sunset at EPIC.

Tropical Clouds

• Why are Tropical Clouds Important?
• Instrumentation
• Tropical Cloud Data
  • Nauru Clouds
  • EPIC Winds/Clouds

• Cloud Geometry and Masking
• Cloud Microphysics