Microphysical characteristics of clouds and precipitation during the Indian monsoon period over Kolkata region

Characteristic properties of clouds during the pre-monsoon and monsoon season over the tropical station Kolkata has been described in the present study. Three years satellite data from 2005-2007 has been used for the present study. It has been found that the percentage of lower and middle level clouds is greater in the pre-monsoon season whereas the percentage of higher-level clouds are predominant in the monsoon months over this region. Correspondingly the cloud effective radius value also increases from pre-monsoon months to the monsoon months. The impact of aerosols and liquid water content plays a vital role in such changes.