Research Highlights

This study combined new field observations, machine learning, and computer models to reveal how cloud microphysical properties change with their surrounding environment.

Deep convective clouds (DCCs) play a vital role in the Earth’s water and energy cycles. How DCCs interact with small particles in the air, also known as environmental aerosols, is not well understood. In this study, researchers reviewed how these particles can change DCC dynamics through two pathways. The first pathway is condensational invigoration. Condensational invigoration happens when there is too much water vapor in the air, a state called supersaturation. This excess causes a large transformation of tiny particles into droplets and release more heat to clouds. The second pathway is freezing-induced invigoration. Freezing-induced invigoration happens when large particles impact ice processes. This study identifies ideal conditions for largest effects of these pathways, recommends best practices for modeling and observational analysis, and highlights directions for future research.

Leveraging ARM’s long-term atmospheric observations from three coastal sites along with global ocean wave data sets, we found that the breaking of ocean waves near shorelines can generate large amounts of both tiny and large aerosol particles. We also quantified how much this process boosts coastal aerosol levels and discussed the implications for understanding the effects of sea spray aerosols on global climate and coastal air quality.