Clouds and Climate: Climate Science's Greatest Challenge

Cloud research is a rapidly developing area of climate science that is essential for climate modeling. This book provides a comprehensive overview of research on clouds and their role in our present and future climate, covering theoretical, observational, and modeling perspectives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 418 pages
Publication date: 20 August 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Cloud research is a rapidly evolving field within climate science that holds immense importance in climate modeling. Thanks to the emergence of innovative observational and simulation technologies, our understanding of clouds and their contribution to the warming climate is rapidly expanding. This comprehensive book offers a thorough exploration of research on clouds and their pivotal role in shaping our present and future climate.

Part I delves into clouds from three distinct perspectives: as particles, light, and fluid. It provides a foundational understanding of the fundamental characteristics and behavior of clouds.

Part II explores our ability to model clouds, encompassing a range of approaches, from theoretical conceptual models to applied parameterized representations. It sheds light on the complexities involved in capturing the intricate dynamics and interactions of clouds within the Earth's atmosphere.

Part III focuses on the intricate interplay between clouds and the large-scale circulation patterns in tropical, mid-latitudinal, and polar regions. It examines how clouds influence weather patterns, climate regimes, and global climate dynamics.

Part IV delves into the perturbation of clouds by aerosols, the land surface, and global warming. It explores the mechanisms by which these factors influence cloud formation, evolution, and their impact on the Earth's climate system.

Throughout each chapter, end-of-chapter exercises and comprehensive further reading sections are included, making this book an invaluable resource for advanced students and researchers in climatology, atmospheric science, meteorology, and climate change. By delving into the latest research and theories, this book equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to comprehend the complex role of clouds in shaping our planet's climate.

Weight: 1028g
Dimension: 196 x 252 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107061071