In Situ and Laboratory Measurements of Cloud Microphysical Properties

This chapter provides a sketch of in situ measurements and laboratory experiments that have provided new insights into the microphysics of clouds. The emphasis is on processes that are small in spatial or temporal scale, in keeping with the focus of this book. Some illustrative historical examples are given, followed by an overview of what coarse-resolution atmospheric models need to know about clouds. Specifically, how do clouds influence radiative fluxes, precipitation fluxes, and convective transport, and how do those processes depend on the cloud particle size distribution? Examples are then provided to give a sense of significant advances and capabilities in current cloud research, in three areas: (1) airborne measurements of cloud properties; (2) ground-based measurements of cloud properties; and (3) laboratory experiments focused on cloud processes.