Recent progress in cloud physics and associated radiative effects in China from 2016 to 2022

This study reviews the recent progresses in cloud physics, processes, and associated radiative effects in China from 2016 to 2022. It mainly consists of three topics, including the recent development of cloud observation techniques, advances in understanding of cloud physical properties and processes, and quantification of cloud radiative effects (CRE). For cloud observation techniques, the launch of new-era high spatio-temporal resolution geostationary satellites makes us able to examine the diurnal variation of cloud properties, along with the cloud properties during different stages of cloud development. Correspondingly, new cloud retrieval algorithms including both physical based and machine learning methods have been developed. With more accurate and reliable aircraft observations and a longer period of satellite observations, cloud physical properties and processes have been further understood, including the spaito-temporal variations of cloud properties, the cloud droplet size distribution, the aerosol-cloud interaction processes, and so on. In addition, recent progress in aerosol effects on precipitation by affecting cloud properties and development has also been summarized, including the increase (reduction) of precipitation amount by aerosols for heavy (light) precipitation cases, the advancement of precipitation time by absorbing aerosols near surface, the delay of precipitation time by scattering aerosols near surface, and the enlarging precipitation area of tropical cyclones by aerosols. With long period radiation observations, CREs have also been quantified, including the temporal variation and spatial distribution of CREs, the various influential factors to changes of CREs, and the identification of uncertainty sources in CMIP6 model simulations of CREs. Challenges associated with cloud studies have also been proposed in this study from the perspective of observations, physical processes, and radiative effects.