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Propagation of cloud base to higher levels during Covid-19-Lockdown
Latha R1, Murthy B S1, Sandeepan B S1
1Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Pune, India.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 20, 2020
Summary
The COVID-19 lockdown significantly reduced aerosols, causing cloud bases to rise. This study reveals how aerosol reduction impacts cloud vertical distribution and formation.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Cloud Physics
- Aerosol Science
Background:
- Aerosol-cloud interactions are crucial for weather and climate.
- The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique scenario to study aerosol impacts due to reduced emissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a drastic reduction in aerosols on cloud development and vertical distribution during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- To analyze the relationship between aerosol concentrations, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), and cloud base height.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ceilometer data from Delhi to measure cloud base heights.
- Analyzed temporal variations in CCN and precursor gases.
- Correlated cloud base height with CCN, NO2/NH3 concentrations, and meteorological factors (LCL, PWC, MLH).
Main Results:
- Cloud bases shifted to higher altitudes during the lockdown.
- A significant reduction (47%) in CCN was observed.
- Low clouds (<3 km) decreased from 63% to 12% of total clouds.
- Cloud base height showed an inverse correlation with CCN (r=-0.64) and NO2/NH3 (r=-0.7).
Conclusions:
- Drastic aerosol reduction during the lockdown led to an upward shift in cloud base height.
- CCN concentration is a key factor in modulating cloud vertical profiles.
- Findings highlight the sensitivity of cloud properties to aerosol pollution.
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