A combined lidar and radar retrieval of cloud optical properties

A method of retrieving cloud microphysical properties using combined observations from both cloud lidar and radar is introduced. This retrieval makes use of a variation on the traditional optimal estimation retrieval method, whereby a series of corrections are applied to the state vector during the search for an iterative solution. The retrieval method is applied to lidar and radar observations from the CRYSTAL-FACE experiment, and vertical profiles of ice crystal characteristic diameter, number concentration, and ice water content are retrieved for a cirrus cloud layer observed during the experiment.

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