Micro-Pulse Lidar observations of elevated aerosol layers over the Himalayan region

The present study investigates the characteristics of elevated aerosol layer (EAL) using high spatio-temporal Boundary Layer Lidar observations over Manora Peak (29.4° N; 79.2° E; 1958m above mean sea level), Nainital located in Himalayan region. We have chosen four EAL cases on June 17, 2006 (C1); December 12, 2007 (C2); February 06 (C3) and May 07, 2008 (C4) observational site. occurrence is generally found at an altitude ~ 2–4 km ground level It that westerly/northwesterly winds with magnitudes about 6–9 ms−1 are conducive for generation strengthening EAL. A 7-days airmass backward trajectory analysis reveals lower (higher) source originates from west coast (northwest) regions. Furthermore, atmospheric radiative forcing estimated Santa Barbara DISORT (discrete ordinates transfer) Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART) model atmosphere heats up 1.35 K day−1 1.32 due to presence C1 C4, respectively. Our results confirm EALs causes warming, can impact regional radiation budget