Ice particles in the atmosphere contribute to the largest uncertainty
in interpretations of the Earth’s changing energy budget since the
large variability in number, size and shape of cirrus and mixed-phase
cloud particles makes it difficult to understand and parameterize their
microphysical and hence their radiative properties.

To advance our understanding of these clouds, this session aims to
bring together two themes, the first (1) related to 'Ice Clouds' and the
second (2) to 'Ice Nucleating Particles (INP)'.

(1) The focus of the 'Ice Clouds' block is to facilitate the exchange of
knowledge in between the different approaches in this research
field, that means we aim to gather contributions from all aspects:
observations (ground based, airborne and space borne), simulations
(process, regional and global) as well as radiative transfer and
transport studies. Topics of interest are ice cloud formation, life
cycle, coverage, microphysical and radiative properties, crystal
shapes, sizes and variability of ice particles for mixed-phase as well
as cirrus clouds.

(2) In the 'Ice Nucleating Particles (INP)' block of this session we
call for contributions related to concentrations and ice activation
properties of INP in the atmosphere as well as from laboratory and
chamber studies.


Invited speakers:

Ice clouds: Donifan Barahona
Ice nucleating particles: Naruki Hiranuma