Evaluation of simulated vertical aerosol profiles from global climate models

Abstract:

The aerosol vertical profile is substantially important because it plays a crucial role in the radiation balance and strongly links atmospheric transport patterns and vertical exchange. However climate models yield a large range in simulated vertical aerosol profiles, with most models overestimating aerosol vertical dispersivity. Ambient convection and lack of removal processes in each model can be possible reasons of the uncertainties. This study focuses on improving our understanding for discrepancies between observations and model simulations. We evaluate the ability of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project version 5 (CMIP5) models to simulate the vertical aerosol profile relative to the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO). In addition, we use the Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) convective mass flux and Cloud Top Height (CTH) product estimated by geostationary satellite and CloudSat data to assess the role of convective lofting.