Research

Cloud feedbacks in response to greenhouse gas warming remain one of the largest uncertainties for climate change predictions (external page IPCC, 2021). Clouds reflect solar radiation causing a cooling and absorb and re-​emit terrestrial radiation causing a warming. While the cooling effect of clouds dominates for low-​level clouds (stratus, stratocumulus), the warming effect dominates for high-​level ice clouds (cirrus).

Aerosol particles also scatter and absorb solar radiation and determine cloud microphysical properties by acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nucleating particles (INPs). The radiative forcing of aerosol particles resulting from human activities has the largest uncertainties of all anthropogenic forcing agents (external page IPCC, 2021). Especially the details of ice formation and subsequent processes involving ice crystals in clouds are not fully understood. We focus our research on understanding ice formation and growth in clouds through laboratory measurements, field observations, and modelling on various scales. Please use the navigation to the related topics to learn more!