Significant differences in the cloud droplet effective radius between nonprecipitating and precipitating clouds

[1] We examined the cloud-precipitation interaction by a combined use of radar and a solar/infrared radiometer onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). We found sudden changes in the cloud droplet effective radius in marine water clouds, and significant differences in the effective radius between nonprecipitating clouds and precipitating clouds in which clouds and precipitation coexist. The largest radius was limited to between 15 and 20 μm for nonprecipitating clouds, whereas it increased discontinuously to 30 μm for precipitating clouds. Detailed analysis suggests that the differences are likely due to the rapid growth of cloud drops into raindrops. The radius in nonprecipitating clouds indicates that threshold sizes exist below which precipitation hardly forms. This study revealed that the threshold sizes are clearly observed and are consistent on a global scale, which improves our understanding of the second indirect effects of aerosols.

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