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Cloud formation and climate change

Nephology (/nɪˈfɒləi/; from the Greek word nephos for 'cloud') is the study of clouds and cloud formation. British meteorologist Luke Howard was a major researcher within this field, establishing a cloud classification system. While this branch of meteorology still exists today, the term nephology, or nephologist is rarely used. The term came into use at the end of the nineteenth century, and fell out of common use by the middle of the twentieth.[1] Recently, interest in nephology has increased as some meteorologists have begun to focus on the relationship between clouds and global warming,[2] which is a source of uncertainty regarding "estimates and interpretations of the Earth’s changing energy budget."[3]

  • Since the late 1990s, some have suggested that when high solar activity lowers levels of cosmic rays, that in turn reduces cloud cover and warms the planet. Others say that there is no statistical evidence for such an effect. [1]

Some nephologists believe that an increase in global temperature could decrease the thickness and brightness (ability to reflect light energy), which would further increase global temperature.[4]

Understanding the dynamics of cloud formation is essential, as clouds play a significant role in the Earth's energy balance and climate system. Recent research has focused on how changes in cloud cover and characteristics may affect, and be affected by, the Earth's changing climate.

Cloud formation edit

Cloud formation is a complex process that begins with the condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere. This process typically occurs when moist air rises and cools to its dew point, leading to the formation of water droplets or ice crystals.[5] Several factors influence cloud formation, including atmospheric temperature, humidity, and the presence of aerosols. Cloud types are classified based on their appearance and altitude, with major categories including cirrus, cumulus, and stratus. Understanding these processes is fundamental to studying weather patterns and climate dynamics.

Cloud formation and climate change edit

The interaction between cloud formation and climate change is an aspect of atmospheric science. Clouds have a dual role[6] in the Earth's climate system: they can cool the Earth's surface by reflecting incoming solar radiation (albedo effect) and warm it by trapping outgoing infrared radiation (greenhouse effect). The overall impact of clouds on global climate depends on factors such as cloud type, altitude, thickness, and the amount of water or ice they contain.

Thin, high-altitude cirrus clouds tend to have a net warming effect, since they allow incoming solar radiation to pass through while trapping heat radiating from the Earth's surface. On the other hand, low-altitude, thick clouds like stratus or cumulus generally reflect more sunlight back into space, contributing to a cooling effect.[7] However, the extent to which different types of clouds contribute to warming or cooling is still an area of ongoing research.

Climate change is expected to impact cloud formation patterns, potentially leading to feedback loops. Warmer temperatures can increase the rate of evaporation, leading to more water vapor in the atmosphere, which could result in more clouds. This increase in cloud cover could have a cooling effect due to increased albedo. However, if the increase is primarily in high-altitude thin clouds, the net effect could be additional warming. Conversely, a decrease in cloudiness in certain regions could lead to further surface warming.

Recent studies also suggest that cloud formation is sensitive to aerosols – tiny particles in the atmosphere. Aerosols can act as cloud condensation nuclei, around which cloud droplets can form. Changes in aerosol concentrations, due to human activities or natural processes, can therefore influence cloud properties and, consequently, the climate.[8]

Moreover, climate models show varying degrees of sensitivity to cloud feedbacks, contributing to uncertainties in future climate projections. The challenge for scientists is to understand and accurately model the myriad ways clouds interact with atmospheric dynamics, solar radiation, and the Earth's surface. This understanding is critical for predicting future climate scenarios and informing global strategies to address climate change.

Recent research and studies edit

Recent research in nephology has delved into the relationship between cloud formation and climate change. One area of study has been the potential link between solar activity, cosmic rays, and cloud cover.[9] One hypothesis suggests that high solar activity, which reduces cosmic ray flux, might lead to decreased cloud cover, thereby warming the planet. However, this theory remains a subject of debate among scientists. Work has been undertaken at CERN's CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets) experiment, investigating the microphysical interactions between cosmic rays and cloud formation.[10] These studies aim to increase understand the cloud nucleation process and its implications for climate models.

Implications edit

Understanding how clouds respond to and influence global warming is necessary for accurate climate modeling and prediction. Changes in cloud cover and type could either exacerbate or mitigate the effects of climate change, depending on their properties and distribution. For instance, thinning high-altitude clouds tend to have a net warming effect, while thick, low-altitude clouds generally have a cooling effect. Increased knowledge in this field can inform policy decisions and strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation. It underscores the need for comprehensive climate models that accurately represent cloud dynamics and their feedback mechanisms in the Earth's climate system.

References edit

  1. ^ "Nephology". Oxford English Dictionary (DRAFT REVISION). Oxford University Press. September 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2007.
  2. ^ Fluffy Thinking Financial Times. Retrieved 2007-08-08
  3. ^ Boucher, O., D. Randall, P. Artaxo, C. Bretherton, G. Feingold, P. Forster, V.-M. Kerminen, Y. Kondo, H. Liao, U. Lohmann, P. Rasch, S.K. Satheesh, S. Sherwood, B. Stevens and X.Y. Zhang (2013). "Clouds and Aerosols. In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" (PDF). ipcc.ch. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 14 November 2020. Clouds and aerosols continue to contribute the largest uncertainty to estimates and interpretations of the Earth's changing energy budget.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Clouds' role in global warming studied 25 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine CNN website. Retrieved 2007-08-08
  5. ^ "How clouds form". NOAA. 28 March 2023.
  6. ^ "ISCCP: Cloud Climatology". isccp.giss.nasa.gov. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  7. ^ Stephens, Graeme L.; Vane, Deborah G.; Boain, Ronald J.; Mace, Gerald G.; Sassen, Kenneth; Wang, Zhien; Illingworth, Anthony J.; O'connor, Ewan J.; Rossow, William B.; Durden, Stephen L.; Miller, Steven D.; Austin, Richard T.; Benedetti, Angela; Mitrescu, Cristian (1 December 2002). "THE CLOUDSAT MISSION AND THE A-TRAIN: A New Dimension of Space-Based Observations of Clouds and Precipitation". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 83 (12): 1771–1790. doi:10.1175/BAMS-83-12-1771. ISSN 0003-0007.
  8. ^ Buis, Alan. "The Atmosphere: Getting a Handle on Carbon Dioxide". Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Sizing Up Humanity's Impacts on Earth's Changing Atmosphere: A Five-Part Series. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  9. ^ Winterhalter, Boris (September 2008). "The Chilling Stars: A New Theory of Climate Change". Energy & Environment. 19 (5): 769–770. doi:10.1260/095830508784815982. ISSN 0958-305X. S2CID 153753129.
  10. ^ Kirkby, Jasper; Curtius, Joachim; Almeida, João; Dunne, Eimear; Duplissy, Jonathan; Ehrhart, Sebastian; Franchin, Alessandro; Gagné, Stéphanie; Ickes, Luisa; Kürten, Andreas; Kupc, Agnieszka; Metzger, Axel; Riccobono, Francesco; Rondo, Linda; Schobesberger, Siegfried (August 2011). "Role of sulphuric acid, ammonia and galactic cosmic rays in atmospheric aerosol nucleation". Nature. 476 (7361): 429–433. doi:10.1038/nature10343. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 21866156. S2CID 4326159.

External links edit

  • Time lapse video of clouds forming over water

cloud, formation, climate, change, album, same, name, nephology, album, confused, with, nephrology, nephology, from, greek, word, nephos, cloud, study, clouds, cloud, formation, british, meteorologist, luke, howard, major, researcher, within, this, field, esta. For the album of the same name see Nephology album Not to be confused with Nephrology Nephology n ɪ ˈ f ɒ l e dʒ i from the Greek word nephos for cloud is the study of clouds and cloud formation British meteorologist Luke Howard was a major researcher within this field establishing a cloud classification system While this branch of meteorology still exists today the term nephology or nephologist is rarely used The term came into use at the end of the nineteenth century and fell out of common use by the middle of the twentieth 1 Recently interest in nephology has increased as some meteorologists have begun to focus on the relationship between clouds and global warming 2 which is a source of uncertainty regarding estimates and interpretations of the Earth s changing energy budget 3 Since the late 1990s some have suggested that when high solar activity lowers levels of cosmic rays that in turn reduces cloud cover and warms the planet Others say that there is no statistical evidence for such an effect 1 Some nephologists believe that an increase in global temperature could decrease the thickness and brightness ability to reflect light energy which would further increase global temperature 4 Understanding the dynamics of cloud formation is essential as clouds play a significant role in the Earth s energy balance and climate system Recent research has focused on how changes in cloud cover and characteristics may affect and be affected by the Earth s changing climate Contents 1 Cloud formation 2 Cloud formation and climate change 3 Recent research and studies 4 Implications 5 References 6 External linksCloud formation editCloud formation is a complex process that begins with the condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere This process typically occurs when moist air rises and cools to its dew point leading to the formation of water droplets or ice crystals 5 Several factors influence cloud formation including atmospheric temperature humidity and the presence of aerosols Cloud types are classified based on their appearance and altitude with major categories including cirrus cumulus and stratus Understanding these processes is fundamental to studying weather patterns and climate dynamics Cloud formation and climate change editThe interaction between cloud formation and climate change is an aspect of atmospheric science Clouds have a dual role 6 in the Earth s climate system they can cool the Earth s surface by reflecting incoming solar radiation albedo effect and warm it by trapping outgoing infrared radiation greenhouse effect The overall impact of clouds on global climate depends on factors such as cloud type altitude thickness and the amount of water or ice they contain Thin high altitude cirrus clouds tend to have a net warming effect since they allow incoming solar radiation to pass through while trapping heat radiating from the Earth s surface On the other hand low altitude thick clouds like stratus or cumulus generally reflect more sunlight back into space contributing to a cooling effect 7 However the extent to which different types of clouds contribute to warming or cooling is still an area of ongoing research Climate change is expected to impact cloud formation patterns potentially leading to feedback loops Warmer temperatures can increase the rate of evaporation leading to more water vapor in the atmosphere which could result in more clouds This increase in cloud cover could have a cooling effect due to increased albedo However if the increase is primarily in high altitude thin clouds the net effect could be additional warming Conversely a decrease in cloudiness in certain regions could lead to further surface warming Recent studies also suggest that cloud formation is sensitive to aerosols tiny particles in the atmosphere Aerosols can act as cloud condensation nuclei around which cloud droplets can form Changes in aerosol concentrations due to human activities or natural processes can therefore influence cloud properties and consequently the climate 8 Moreover climate models show varying degrees of sensitivity to cloud feedbacks contributing to uncertainties in future climate projections The challenge for scientists is to understand and accurately model the myriad ways clouds interact with atmospheric dynamics solar radiation and the Earth s surface This understanding is critical for predicting future climate scenarios and informing global strategies to address climate change Recent research and studies editRecent research in nephology has delved into the relationship between cloud formation and climate change One area of study has been the potential link between solar activity cosmic rays and cloud cover 9 One hypothesis suggests that high solar activity which reduces cosmic ray flux might lead to decreased cloud cover thereby warming the planet However this theory remains a subject of debate among scientists Work has been undertaken at CERN s CLOUD Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets experiment investigating the microphysical interactions between cosmic rays and cloud formation 10 These studies aim to increase understand the cloud nucleation process and its implications for climate models Implications editUnderstanding how clouds respond to and influence global warming is necessary for accurate climate modeling and prediction Changes in cloud cover and type could either exacerbate or mitigate the effects of climate change depending on their properties and distribution For instance thinning high altitude clouds tend to have a net warming effect while thick low altitude clouds generally have a cooling effect Increased knowledge in this field can inform policy decisions and strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation It underscores the need for comprehensive climate models that accurately represent cloud dynamics and their feedback mechanisms in the Earth s climate system References edit Nephology Oxford English Dictionary DRAFT REVISION Oxford University Press September 2003 Retrieved 25 March 2007 Fluffy Thinking Financial Times Retrieved 2007 08 08 Boucher O D Randall P Artaxo C Bretherton G Feingold P Forster V M Kerminen Y Kondo H Liao U Lohmann P Rasch S K Satheesh S Sherwood B Stevens and X Y Zhang 2013 Clouds and Aerosols In Climate Change 2013 The Physical Science Basis Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change PDF ipcc ch Cambridge University Press Retrieved 14 November 2020 Clouds and aerosols continue to contribute the largest uncertainty to estimates and interpretations of the Earth s changing energy budget a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Clouds role in global warming studied Archived 25 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine CNN website Retrieved 2007 08 08 How clouds form NOAA 28 March 2023 ISCCP Cloud Climatology isccp giss nasa gov Retrieved 29 November 2023 Stephens Graeme L Vane Deborah G Boain Ronald J Mace Gerald G Sassen Kenneth Wang Zhien Illingworth Anthony J O connor Ewan J Rossow William B Durden Stephen L Miller Steven D Austin Richard T Benedetti Angela Mitrescu Cristian 1 December 2002 THE CLOUDSAT MISSION AND THE A TRAIN A New Dimension of Space Based Observations of Clouds and Precipitation Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 83 12 1771 1790 doi 10 1175 BAMS 83 12 1771 ISSN 0003 0007 Buis Alan The Atmosphere Getting a Handle on Carbon Dioxide Climate Change Vital Signs of the Planet Sizing Up Humanity s Impacts on Earth s Changing Atmosphere A Five Part Series NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Retrieved 29 November 2023 Winterhalter Boris September 2008 The Chilling Stars A New Theory of Climate Change Energy amp Environment 19 5 769 770 doi 10 1260 095830508784815982 ISSN 0958 305X S2CID 153753129 Kirkby Jasper Curtius Joachim Almeida Joao Dunne Eimear Duplissy Jonathan Ehrhart Sebastian Franchin Alessandro Gagne Stephanie Ickes Luisa Kurten Andreas Kupc Agnieszka Metzger Axel Riccobono Francesco Rondo Linda Schobesberger Siegfried August 2011 Role of sulphuric acid ammonia and galactic cosmic rays in atmospheric aerosol nucleation Nature 476 7361 429 433 doi 10 1038 nature10343 ISSN 0028 0836 PMID 21866156 S2CID 4326159 External links editA C April 1906 The Nephological Review from Volume 34 Issue 4 of Monthly Weather Review published by the American Meteorological Society Archived from the original on 29 April 2017 Retrieved on 25 March 2007 Time lapse video of clouds forming over water Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cloud formation and climate change amp oldid 1201138151, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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