Long-term in situ measurements of the cloud-precipitation microphysical properties over East Asia

A database of cloud-precipitation microphysical characteristics is established, using in situ data during 1960–2008. Main features of aerosol, ice nuclei (IN), cloud droplet, fog, ice crystal, snow crystal, and raindrop are presented based on the analyses of the database. In addition, a statistical analysis has been performed. The results show that the overall average aerosol concentration in diameter greater than 0.3 μm is 166.9 cm−3 and the average maximum values of IN concentration can reach 78.9 L−1 at − 20 °C, with an overall average of 22.9 L−1. In addition, cumuliform clouds have higher overall average cloud droplet number concentration (Nc) of 907.7 cm−3, and that of stratiform clouds, is 120.9 cm−3; cumuliform clouds (stratiform clouds) have an average liquid water content (LWC) of 0.875 (0.140) g m−3, with a peak value of 2.000 (0.520) g m−3. The gamma size distributions are shown to be suitable for most of the observed spectra in stratiform clouds. Both the exponential and gamma size distributions are applicable to fit the raindrops originating from stratiform clouds. Good agreement is obtained when the gamma size distribution is applied to fit the raindrops originating from both convective and mixing (stratiform and cumuliform) clouds. The exponential size distributions are suitable for both ice crystal and snow crystal fitting.

► The in-situ cloud measurement based statistical database is established.
► The cloud microphysical properties are characterized using the dataset.
► The data set provides a basis for examining and improving cloud parameterization.