Observing short-timescale cloud development to constrain aerosol–cloud interactions

Abstract. The aerosol impact on liquid water path (LWP) is a key uncertainty in the overall climate of aerosol. However, despite significant effort this area, size effect remains poorly constrained, and even sign unclear. Recent studies have shown that relationship between droplet number concentration (Nd) LWP an unreliable measure Nd variations due to difficulty establishing causality. In work, we use satellite observations short-term development clouds examine role perturbations variations. Similar previous studies, increase followed by general decrease with increasing observed, suggesting negative response warming adjustment also responds local environment, production, entrainment from free troposphere wet scavenging all acting modify Nd. Many these effects act further steepen Nd–LWP obscure causal LWP. Using temporal account for feedbacks system, weaker observed over most globe. This highly sensitive initial cloud state, illuminating roles different processes shaping relationship. nature current observing system limits work single time period observations, highlighting need more frequent properties constrain behaviour at process timescales.