Lidar observation of planetary boundary-layer clouds

In the paper methods and experimental techniques for study of various types of clouds in the PBL (St, Sc, Cu, Stfr, fair weather clouds, etc.) accompanied by the obtained related information are presented and discussed. The abilities of different methods for determination of the cloud base height and its dynamics are also considered. The possibility for determination of the clouds phase composition through analysis of the lidar signal polarization characteristics is shown. The basic physical mechanisms grounding the lidar study of cloud formations and the limits of their applicability are discussed. The algorithms of data processing and desired information extraction are described as well. The studies presented in the paper were carried out using a backscatter aerosol lidar system with a polarization unit and module for the viewing angle variation. The results obtained employing the methods and techniques, subject of the paper, could be summarized as follows: (1) following of the base height of various types of clouds and its dynamics in different atmospheric situations and synoptic conditions, including atmospheric fronts passage; (2) determination of crystal (ice) phase within the volume of different types of clouds; (3) estimation of the density of cloud formations; (4) determination of some microphysical characteristics of the clouds, such as droplets mean size, water content, etc.