Abstract Satellite observations and numerical simulations show that the small net Cloud Radiative Effect (CRE) of tropical anvil clouds results from a near‐cancellation between large but opposing longwave (LW) and shortwave (SW) components over the cloud's lifecycle. We develop an analytical model that captures this behavior by combining: (1) simple parameterizations of LW and SW CRE as functions of SW cloud optical depth; (2) a two‐phase cloud spreading model, incorporating both initial convective detrainment and subsequent radiatively driven expansion; and (3) a minimal cloud microphysics scheme. The model performs well when tested against data from a cloud‐resolving model simulation, suggesting it captures the essential physics governing anvil cloud lifecycles. Sensitivity tests reveal a strong dependence of the total net CRE on initial cloud temperature and the timing of convective initiation, and identify several microphysical and dynamical processes that may be relevant for high‐cloud feedbacks.
Lutsko et al. (Tue,) studied this question.