| Abstract |
One of the major uncertainties with existing global
climate models is the effect of clouds. Present satellite
measurements give only the top-of atmosphere radiation
information but do not provide the essential vertical
profiles of cloud; as a result the vertical profile of
the radiative flux divergence is not known, although
different heating profiles have a profound effect on
climate simulations. This required vertical cloud
structure can only be obtained by millimetre wave radar;
accordingly, a recent GEWEX meeting (29 June to 2 July
1993) recommended that 'urgent action should be taken to
formalize a development program for a nadir-pointing
cloud profiling radar ...' and that 'in parallel there
should be an intensification of studies using airborne
and ground-based cloud radars, together with in situ
observations and supporting work to refine and validate
retrieval algorithms for the spaceborne radar'.
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