Spatiotemporal Impacts of Aerosols on Cloud Properties and Precipitation Patterns in South Asian Monsoon Region: Contrasting High and Low Precipitation Years.

This study investigates the relationship between aerosols and cloud properties in the South Asian monsoon over two decades, using satellite data. We conducted a 20-year analysis of aerosols and diverse cloud properties during the monsoon months. Precipitation patterns were categorized into high and low years based on anomalies. Significant correlations emerged between aerosol optical depth (AOD) and cloud properties, including cloud fraction, cloud droplet size, cloud top features, column-integrated water vapor, ice water path, and liquid water path. AOD and cloud fraction showed positive correlations, though not always translating to increased precipitation, underlining the role of cloud microphysics. AOD influenced cloud droplet size differently across regions, with some showing smaller droplets with higher AOD. Cloud height, temperature, and reflectivity were affected by AOD, indicating its influence on cloud properties through droplet concentration. Column-integrated water vapor positively correlated with AOD, implying aerosol involvement in water vapor condensation into cloud droplets. These findings uncover the intricate regional dynamics of aerosol-cloud interactions during the South Asian monsoon, offering valuable insights into the delicate relationships between aerosols, cloud properties, and precipitation variations across the diverse landscape of South Asia. This underscores the significance of considering regional variations in aerosol-cloud interactions when evaluating their impact on South Asian monsoon systems.