Cloud Micro- and Macrophysics
Clouds are an integral part of weather and climate; they affect and are affected by radiation, precipitation, circulation systems as well as biogeochemistry. During the course, you will learn about essential factors governing cloud formation and how these factors affect cloud micro- and macrophysical properties, e.g. the vertical extent of the clouds and if the clouds consist of liquid water, ice or a mixture. Another important part of the course is the understanding of precipitation formation and how the underlying processes differ between warm and cold clouds. The micro- and macroscale structure of the clouds and how they affect the radiative balance on different spatial scales are also discussed.
The course deals with formation and occurrence of condensation and ice nuclei as well as their chemical and physical properties. Further subjects are cloud and precipitation formation, large-scale processes that precondition cloud formation, the significance of clouds for radiation, how clouds are observed and how they are described in numerical forecast and climate models.
Teaching Format
The course consists of lectures, laboratory work (mandatory), exercises and seminars (mandatory).
Course material
Grading criteria, course literature and other material and correspondence related to the course will be available on the course Athena-site once you have registered for the course.
Assessment
Examination is done by a written test.
