For cloud liquid water in ERA5 there are 2 variables:
- Specific cloud liquid water content (code 246) on pressure (and model) levels. This parameter has units of kg kg-1, see Table 9 in the ERA5 data documentation. You can convert the units of this parameter to kg m-3 by multiplying by the density (=P/RT, where P is pressure, T is the absolute temperature and R is the specific gas constant).
- Total column cloud liquid water (code 78) on surface and single levels. This parameter has units of kg m-2, see Table 6 in the ERA5 data documentation. These units occur because a vertical integral has been performed.
Thanks,
Kevin
2 Comments
Philipp Richter
Is there a difference between these two datasets? Should the integrated Specific cloud liquid water content (after converting to kg m-3 ) be the same as Total column cloud liquid water?
Marie-Laure Frery
Coud you explicit which density/ which specific gas constant you use for the conversion ? is it dry air or wet constant ?