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Evidence of the cloud lifetime effect from wildfire‐induced thunderstorms
Author(s) -
Lindsey Daniel T.,
Fromm Michael
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl035680
Subject(s) - cloud condensation nuclei , thunderstorm , cirrus , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , convection , effective radius , aerosol , cloud computing , ice crystals , meteorology , climate change , cloud physics , smoke , radius , condensation , climatology , geology , geography , physics , astrophysics , oceanography , computer security , galaxy , computer science , operating system
A case study is presented of pyro‐cumulonimbi (pyroCbs) forming over Canadian forest fires. Cloud‐top ice effective radius values of these pyroCbs are significantly smaller than are those within surrounding convection. The smoke provides a massive source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), resulting in smaller cloud droplets which freeze homogeneously at temperatures around −40°C and produce very small ice crystals. It is also shown that the pyroCb anvils persist 6–12 hours longer than convectively‐generated cirrus anvils from nearby convection. This provides evidence for the so‐called cloud lifetime effect, an aerosol indirect effect identified by the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.