Objectives: 

Clouds, their structure, space-time distribution and type represent a key unknown for the correct understanding of the mechanisms of the meteo-climatic system of our planet. Cloud physics has unveiled to a large extent the cloud’s microphysical structure, while the introduction of remote sensing from radar and satellite has considerably widened the scientific perspective by shifting research from the laboratory to the real clouds in the atmosphere. At the same time, cloud numerical modeling has attained important results in the representation and parameterization of cloud processes in the models at all scales. Research activities at the highest level are part of the general scientific framework of the water cycle and are thus interdisciplinary in their own right. The Clouds and Precipitation Physics (CAPE) Group is composed by scientists who work on improving the existing knowledge of cloud physics and liquid and solid precipitation. In particular, CAPE focuses on the following fundamental scientific objectives: • physical structure of warm and mixed phase clouds in terms of their water and ice content; • microphysical properties of the hydrometeors, their formation and evolution within the cloud, and physical properties of the cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei; • liquid and solid precipitation formation; • ground based and in-cloud precipitation measurement; • interaction of clouds with complex orography and effects of the orography on precipitation intensity; • dynamic and microphysical triggering of convection in the atmospheric boundary layer; • cloud electrification mechanisms, lightning processes and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes generation; • wind field structure in various conditions (storms, fronts, MCS, …); • structure of convective storms; • large eddy simulation (LES) of gravity currents and application to thunderstorm outflows and sea/land breezes; • structure of tropical like cyclones (TLC) over the Mediterranean basin; • physical structure of atmospheric extreme events (TLC, MCS, tornado,…); • air-sea interactions, surface fluxes and atmosphere-ocean-wave coupled modeling; • meteorologically driven risks with hydrogeological effects at the ground; • regional climatology of clouds and precipitation (flood and drought); • estimates and forecasts of solar radiation fluxes in the visible from satellite sensors and their validation with ground based instruments; • meteorological observations and modeling applied to the production of energy from solar and wind sources; • meteorological observations and modeling for hydrological applications at urban and basin scales; • meteorological forecasting using mesoscale and local scale models with particular emphasis on precipitation. The wide spectrum of research topics, with clear repercussions on scientific knowledge and on applications to monitoring and meteo-climatic forecasting, requires the adoption of adequate observational and modeling instruments. The CAPE Group focuses on satellite and radar meteorology, numerical modeling, cloud physics, hydrology, and solar radiation. The observational tools include: two real time satellite receiving stations, a C-band polarimetric radar (Roma), two C-band Doppler radars (Puglia), a Ka-band (35 GHz) mobile cloud radar, a Ku-band radar for snow cover and air-sea interface studies, several sensors for ground based microphysical observations of precipitation. The CAPE scientists have also a long time experience in the organization of field measurement campaigns. Numerical modeling concentrates on the simulation of cloud processes at cloud scale and mesoscale and of dynamical processes within the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) for the investigation of the triggering processes of convection and for wind shear studies (LES). CAPE participates to the lightning detection network LINET and manages the radiometric network ESR/SKYNET for the estimation of aerosol and clouds optical thickness, and of water vapor columnar content in clear sky conditions. A modeling component is active to simulate precipitation systems and processes at the mesoscale by means of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in cooperation with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). The Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS) developed by NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) is used and modified for assimilation and nowcasting exercises in several projects. The Realistic Large-Eddy Simulation (RLES) model from NCAR represents the backbone of the efforts for the simulation of wind fields and the inception of convention within the boundary layer. Finally, the model WRF-CHEM is being applied to simulations of aerosol-cloud interactions during relevant Sahara dust outbreaks and volcanic eruptions. CAPE research topics are linked to those of the Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX) Project thus contributing to the European and international research on the water cycle. The Group participates to the most relevant satellite missions for clouds and precipitation, above all the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, which was successfully launched on 27 February 2014. EUMETSAT and ESA are also considered of primary interest and CAPE scientists are members of Scientific Advisory Groups (SAG) in this context. The ground instrumentation of the Group are relevant for the GPM validation program. At the same time, they will be used for observational campaigns for regional climate, such as those of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM, Department of Energy, USA) program.

Current funded projects and activities: 

Permanent Staff: 

Baldini Luca RICERCATORE	Campanelli Monica RICERCATORE	Castelli Elisa RICERCATORE	Cattani Elsa RICERCATORE	Delle Rose Marco RICERCATORE	Dietrich Stefano RICERCATORE
Dinelli Bianca Maria PRIMO RICERCATORE	Federico Stefano RICERCATORE	Laviola Sante RICERCATORE	Levizzani Vincenzo DIRIGENTE RICERCA	Marra Gian Paolo TECNOLOGO	Miglietta Mario Marcello RICERCATORE
Montopoli Mario RICERCATORE	Moriconi Maria Luisa RICERCATORE	Panegrossi Giulia RICERCATORE	Rizza Umberto PRIMO RICERCATORE	Zecchetto Stefano PRIMO RICERCATORE

Temporary Staff: 

Adirosi Elisa ASSEGNO DI RICERCA	Di Roma Alessio ASSEGNO DI RICERCA	Gorgucci Eugenio ASSOCIATO	Marra Anna Cinzia ASSEGNO DI RICERCA	Mascitelli Alessandra BORSA DI STUDIO	Monte Giulio BORSA DI STUDIO
Papandrea Enzo INCARICO DI COLLABORAZIONE	Roberto Nicoletta ASSEGNO DI RICERCA	Rysman Jean-François ASSEGNO DI RICERCA	Sanò Paolo RICERCATORE TD	Tiberia Alessandra BORSA DI STUDIO	Tiesi Alessandro RICERCATORE TD
Trivellone Giuliano ASSOCIATO

Current students and recent graduates: 

Additional Information: 

International Precipitation Working Group (IPWG) http://ipwg.isac.cnr.it/