ABSTRACT
Clouds, as a critical component of the climate, can play an important role in radiative energy balance and water circulation through their physical properties. Therefore, accurate cloud properties are essential for understanding the role of clouds in the climate system. In this chapter, we briefly introduce the importance of clouds, the methods of cloud detection, cloud phase identification, and their microphysical property retrieval. Microwave remote sensing of clouds and precipitation from six different perspectives is also described, which comprehensively reveals clouds’ physical properties and their significant effects on the climate system and radiation balance.
