Absorbing aerosol decreases cloud cover in cloud‐resolving simulations over Germany

Aerosol can affect clouds in various ways. Beside the microphysical impact of aerosol particles on cloud formation, interference with atmospheric radiation leads to changes local heating, surface fluxes and thus mesoscale circulations, all which may also modify clouds. Rather little is known about these so-called semi-direct effects realistic settings – a reason why this study investigates absorbing fields over Germany. Using advanced high-resolution simulations grid spacings 312 625 m, numerical experiments different optical properties are contrasted using purely scattering as control case perturbation. The combined effect dimming heating induces positive temperature negative moisture anomalies between 800 900 hPa, impacting low-level formation. Decreased relative humidity well increased stability below lead reduction cover, liquid water path precipitation. It further found that direct forcing have similar magnitudes contribute equally net at top atmosphere.