Microphysical effects of Saharan dusts on an orogenic thunderstorm

Abstract. This study investigates the microphysical sensitivity of an orogenic thunderstorm during Genoa 1992 flood event to the concentration and solubility of nucleating aerosols. Idealized 2-D simulations with a new microphysical scheme and a cloud resolving model showed the solubility of CCN can be as important as their concentration. High solubility cases of CCN led to less accumulation of precipitation on the ground and more fraction of the accumulation produced by heavy precipitation than lower solubility cases. The response of vertical motion to the solubility was different for cases with and without dust layer. The preliminary results show that the ice nucleation processes affected by solubility and dust layer may be detected by remote sensing technology.