Retrieving 3D Microphysical Properties of Marine Low Clouds Using Passive-Active Synergistic Satellite Observations

Marine boundary layer clouds play an important role in regulating Earth’s albedo. Their structure and evolution are governed by a subtle balance between aerosols, precipitation, dynamics, and radiation. Such a complex nature positions marine low clouds at the heart of climate projection uncertainty. To improve our understanding of cloud processes and their response to future climate, an observational dataset that allows us to analyze three-dimensional (3D) fields with detailed cloud properties is needed. Here, we will introduce an advanced cloud retrieval method that accounts for cloud heterogeneity and directly incorporates 3D radiative effects, which is a significant step forward compared to the existing methods that rely on 1D radiative transfer. Examples from A-Train observations will be used to demonstrate how to combine radar reflectivity and passive shortwave reflectance measurements to reconstruct 3D cloud structures. Importantly, we will highlight results of evaluation against field campaign measurements and radiation closure study, and discuss the application to future satellite missions such as EarthCARE.