Aerosol–Cloud Interaction over South-Central India and Adjoining Coastal Areas

The MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrieved (2009–2015) aerosol and cloud products over South-Central India, including adjoining coastal areas, were quantitatively analyzed to explore aerosol–cloud interaction and to estimate aerosol indirect effect (AIE). The spatial distribution of aerosol optical depth (AOD) showed high AOD 550 nm (~ 0.7) over the northern India and is attributed to the long- and short-range transport of desert dust aerosols, dense population, and industrialization. The mean seasonal AOD 550 nm over region decreases from (0.55 ± 0.11) to (0.45 ± 0.05) and to (0.39 ± 0.04) for monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter seasons, respectively. The western Indian regions, particularly Pune and Jaipur, showed higher mean AOD 500 nm as compared to other cities. The positive correlation of aerosol indirect effect (AIE) with AOD for Pune and Pondicherry through pre- as well post- monsoon seasons for all cities except Pondicherry is ascribed to hygroscopic aerosol particulate growth. The aerosol size spectra undergo significant transformation from dominant high accumulation-mode during September–February months [with Angström exponent (AE) > 1.0] to dominant augmented coarse-mode (AE