Thin aerosol clouds at tropopause level

Abstract

245-248Aerosol clouds about 2 km below the tropopause are studied using the data from lidar and MST radar at Gadanki. The cloud shows fluctuations with time scales as short as 1/2 h in the backscatter ratio. Depolarization factor indicates ice crystal formation when the cloud is strong. The MST radar wind data show strong turbulence below the cloud level indicating, probably, turbulent mixing /transport of water vapour from lower heights to cloud heights facilitating cloud formation