Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Interactions during StormVEx

Abstract

Aerosol physical properties and wintertime mixed-phase orographic cloud measurements were conducted at the Storm Peak Laboratory (SPL) during the Storm Peak Lab Cloud Property Validation Experiment (StormVEx) in 2011 with the deployment of the DOE ARM mobile facilities. Results presented in accepted and submitted publications demonstrate the following. First, a relationship between large cloud droplet concentration (25–35 μm) and small ice particles (75– 200 μm) under cold (<-8 C) but not warm (>-8 C) conditions suggests primary ice particle production by contact or immersion freezing. Second, during the Springtime, aerosols from New Particle Formation at SPL are more hygroscopic than the background aerosol and thus increased the number of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) at the site.