Diagnostic study on retrieving bulk microphysical properties of low-level stratiform clouds and its implication on climate research

The importance of low-level stratiform clouds to the planetary radiation balance is due to their persistence and coverage, and their effect on the planetary albedo. The vertical distribution of liquid water in these clouds is pertinent to many applications in atmospheric research. As a result, some cloud retrieval techniques have been developed with the assumptions, such as an adiabatic condition, no loss of liquid water via drizzle and/or a large liquid water path.