[Isp] Seminar - Aerosol affect Clouds and Precipitation

[Terri Cantrell]

Where, Why, and How on Earth does Aerosol affect Clouds and Precipitation?


Graham Feingold
NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory
Boulder, CO


It has been hypothesized that changes in the concentration of the 
aerosol can alter precipitation processes, change cloud lifetime and 
hence the radiative forcing of the climate system. Despite decades of 
research, it has proven frustratingly difficult to establish 
climatically meaningful relationships among aerosol, clouds, and 
precipitation. As a result, the climatic effect of aerosol remains 
controversial. In this talk it will be argued  that the difficulty in 
untangling relationships between aerosol, clouds, and precipitation is 
largely a consequence of the buffered nature of the system. Examples of 
buffering will be presented and strategies for improving our chances of 
discerning aerosol-driven effects will be discussed.



Thursday, 24 September 2009, 3:30 PM
Refreshments 3:15 PM
NCAR-Foothills Laboratory
3450 Mitchell Lane
Bldg 2 Auditorium (Rm 1022)

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Terri A. Cantrell
303-497-8281

http://www.isp.ucar.edu
Acting Administrator


NCAR
Integrated Science Program
P.O. Box 3000
FL1-2024
Boulder, CO 80307-3000