Abstract:The parameters of cloud characteristics in Qingdao area (35.583~37.150°N, 119.050~121.000°E) are analyzed using the CloudSat 2B dataset from 2007 to 2010. The results show that the frequency of single-layer cloud is about 39% and multilayer cloud is mainly double-layer cloud whose frequency is about 18%; the monthly mean cloud fraction is between 64.1% and 77.6%, which shows a declining trend from January to December; the total average frequency of cirrus, altostratus, altocumulus, and stratocumulus is 86.5%, while the frequencies of other types of cloud are all not high; the cloud water path is relatively large in April/May and August/September, reaching over 200 g·m-1 and 350 g·m-1, respectively; the effective particle radius of liquid cloud is between 6 and 16 μm and the high value area in spring, summer, and autumn is located from middle to upper part of the cloud; the effective particle radius of ice cloud is between 20 and 120 μm and the high value area is located from bottom to middle part of the cloud; furthermore, the cloud effective particle radius and cloud water content in the southern offshore areas are greater than those in the northern area of Qingdao.