New Mobile Atmospheric Laboratory Gathering Weather and Climate Change Data on the California Coast

 
Published: 30 June 2005

Are Aerosols Reducing Coastal Drizzle and Increasing Cloud Cover?

Scientists sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) are conducting a six-month atmospheric research campaign at the Point Reyes National Seashore, in Marin County, California. The experiment’s goal is to help researchers understand how aerosols—small particles such as soot, dust and smoke—influence the structure of marine stratus clouds, and how aerosols are associated with drizzle—the misty rain regularly produced by these types of clouds. The scientists think aerosols, which can come from both natural and manmade sources, may be reducing coastal drizzle while increasing cloud cover.

To learn more, read the DOE press release.