Abstract
The cloud particle size distribution of water clouds was simulated by a non-hydrostatic spectral bin microphysics cloud model. The result shows two different correlation patterns in the simulated optical thickness and effective radius; positive and negative correlations for non-drizzling and drizzling clouds, respectively, similar to the observed features reported by past remote sensing works.
The correlation pattern in a pristine condition is mainly composed by negative correlation with small fragment of positive correlation, similar to the satellite-observed characteristics over the FIRE region off California. In the case of polluted condition, on the contrary, only a positive correlation is simulated, similar to the satellite observation over the ASTEX region of North Atlantic Ocean. Satellite-observed contrast of correlation patterns between FIRE and ASTEX regions can be explained by the difference in the aerosol burden of airmasses over the two regions.
