Microphysical and radiative properties of mixed-phase altocumulus: A model evaluation of glaciation effects

Using a cloud model with explicit microphysics and radiation, we evaluate the microphysical changes in a supercooled liquid altocumulus cloud with increasing ice content, until glaciation occurs. The properties of the ice and water particle constituents are resolved independently, revealing the relative radiative contributions from the water phase source cloud versus the ice phase virga. Cloud contents are also converted to millimeter-wave radar reflectivities to shed light on the ability of such radars to study these ubiquitous clouds. The results show that the radiative and radar backscattering properties of mixed-phase clouds are dominated by the cloud droplets and ice crystals they contain, respectively.