Cloud effective particle size and water content profile retrievals using combined lidar and radar observations - 1. Theory and examples

In this paper, a novel lidar/radar method for simultaneously determining cl oud particle effective size profiles (for water and ice clouds) and the lid ar attenuation profile is described. Simulations and application to real da ta show that this procedure can be quite robust even in cases where signifi cant lidar attenuation is present. In addition, the concept of a suitable l idar/radar effective particle size is introduced, and the determination of water contents for both water and ice clouds using this effective size toge ther with the radar reflectivity profile is discussed. This paper concludes by presenting examples of effective size profiles and water content profil es inferred from measurements made during the Dutch Clouds and Radiation (C LARA) campaign. In a companion paper, it is demonstrated that the results o f the inversion procedure compare favorably with infrared radiometer measur ements as well as with in-situ measurement results.