CDMSTBS

In situ cloud measurements at AMF3

7 September 2020 - 23 February 2021

Lead Scientist: Andrei Vakhtin

Observatory: AMF (ARM Mobile Facility 3)

The goal of this campaign is to deploy the Mesa Photonics' cloud droplet measurement system (CDMS) on the DOE ARM tethered balloon system (TBS), test its compatibility with the TBS under relevant conditions and perform a series of in-cloud measurements at AMF3 (Oliktok Point, AK), possibly including measurements in supercooled clouds (weather permitting). The CDMS performs in situ measurement of droplet size distribution function and droplet number density in clouds. These characteristics are important cloud microphysical properties that are critical input parameters for atmospheric models and are also useful for proper calibration and validation of performance of other atmospheric measurement instrumentation. The acquired data will be used to evaluate and improve the CDMS hardware and data processing firmware/software. Successful completion of this campaign will demonstrate the instrument's capabilities and performance characteristics to the atmospheric research community.