Assessment of NAAPS-RA performance in Maritime Southeast Asia during CAMP²Ex

Abstract. Monitoring and modeling aerosol particle life cycle in Southeast Asia (SEA) is challenged by high cloud cover, complex meteorology, the wide range of species, sources, transformations found throughout region. Satellite observations are limited, there few situ extinction profiles, properties, environmental conditions. Therefore, accurate model outputs crucial for This work evaluates Navy Aerosol Analysis Prediction System Reanalysis (NAAPS-RA) optical thickness (AOT) light products using airborne meteorological measurements from Cloud, Aerosol, Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP2Ex) conducted 2019 during SEA southwest monsoon biomass burning season. Modeled AOTs coefficients compared to those retrieved with a spectral resolution lidar (HSRL-2). Agreement between simulated AOT (R2= 0.78, relative bias =-5 %, normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) = 48 %) 0.80, 0.81, 0.42; 3 ?6 ?7 %; NRMSE 47 53 118 % altitudes 40–500, 500–1500, >1500 m, respectively) quite good considering challenging environment opportunities assimilations satellites campaign. humidities (RHs) negatively biased at all (absolute ?8 ?3 <500 500–1500 respectively), motivating interest role RH errors simulations. Interestingly, NAAPS-RA agreement HSRL-2 does not change significantly (i.e., values do decrease) when RHs dropsondes substituted into model, yet biases move positive direction. Further exploration suggests changes modeled more sensitive actual magnitude both dropsonde being as opposed absolute differences measured RHs. Finally, four case studies examine how hygroscopic growth parameter, ?, affect simulations mixed layer (ML). We find overestimates hygroscopicity (i) smoke particles Maritime Continent (MC) (ii) anthropogenic emissions transported East Asia. mainly provides insight relationship humid tropical influenced myriad conditions types. These results can be interpreted addressed community part effort better understand, quantify, forecast atmospheric SEA.