diff --git a/.buildkite/longruns_gpu/pipeline.yml b/.buildkite/longruns_gpu/pipeline.yml
index f7f3fd1c5ae..e2a7aed5d1f 100644
--- a/.buildkite/longruns_gpu/pipeline.yml
+++ b/.buildkite/longruns_gpu/pipeline.yml
@@ -38,180 +38,180 @@ steps:
 
   - wait
 
-  - group: "helem 30 dycore"
-    steps:
+  # - group: "helem 30 dycore"
+  #   steps:
 
-      - label: ":computer: hydrostatic balance (ρe_tot)"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_sphere_hydrostatic_balance_rhoe"
+  #     - label: ":computer: hydrostatic balance (ρe_tot)"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_sphere_hydrostatic_balance_rhoe"
 
-      - label: ":computer: dry baroclinic wave"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_dry_baroclinic_wave"
+  #     - label: ":computer: dry baroclinic wave"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_dry_baroclinic_wave"
 
-      - label: ":computer: dry baroclinic wave high res"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_dry_baroclinic_wave_he60"
+  #     - label: ":computer: dry baroclinic wave high res"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_dry_baroclinic_wave_he60"
 
-      - label: ":computer: baroclinic wave equilmoist"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_baroclinic_wave"
+  #     - label: ":computer: baroclinic wave equilmoist"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_baroclinic_wave"
 
-      - label: ":computer: baroclinic wave equilmoist high res"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_baroclinic_wave_he60"
+  #     - label: ":computer: baroclinic wave equilmoist high res"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_baroclinic_wave_he60"
 
-      - label: ":computer: dry held-suarez"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_dry_held_suarez"
+  #     - label: ":computer: dry held-suarez"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_dry_held_suarez"
 
-      - label: ":computer: held-suarez, equilmoist"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_held_suarez"
+  #     - label: ":computer: held-suarez, equilmoist"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_held_suarez"
 
-      - label: ":computer: held-suarez equilmoist + deep-atmosphere eqns"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_held_suarez_deepatmos"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 12:00:00
+  #     - label: ":computer: held-suarez equilmoist + deep-atmosphere eqns"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_moist_held_suarez_deepatmos"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 12:00:00
 
-  - group: "helem 16 aquaplanet"
-    steps:
+  # - group: "helem 16 aquaplanet"
+  #   steps:
 
-      - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + 0M microphysics"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 24:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_0M"
+  #     - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + 0M microphysics"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 24:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_0M"
 
-      - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + diagnostic edmf + 0M microphysics"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 24:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_diagedmf_0M"
+  #     - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + diagnostic edmf + 0M microphysics"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 24:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_diagedmf_0M"
       
-      - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + prognostic edmf diffusion only + 0M microphysics"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 24:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_progedmf_diffonly_0M"
+  #     - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + prognostic edmf diffusion only + 0M microphysics"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 24:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_progedmf_diffonly_0M"
 
-      - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + 0M microphysics + earth topography"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 24:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_0M_earth"
+  #     - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + 0M microphysics + earth topography"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 24:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_0M_earth"
 
-      - label: ":umbrella: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + 1M microphysics"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 24:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_1M"
+  #     - label: ":umbrella: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + 1M microphysics"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 24:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_1M"
 
-      - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + time-varying insolation + 0M microphysics + slab ocean"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 24:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_tvinsol_0M_slabocean"
+  #     - label: ":computer: aquaplanet equilmoist allsky radiation + time-varying insolation + 0M microphysics + slab ocean"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 24:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_tvinsol_0M_slabocean"
 
-  - group: "DYAMOND"
+  # - group: "DYAMOND"
 
-    steps:
+  #   steps:
 
-      - label: ":computer: aquaplanet dyamond"
-        command:
-          - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
-        artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
-        agents:
-          slurm_gpus: 1
-          slurm_time: 24:00:00
-        env:
-          CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
-          JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_dyamond"
+  #     - label: ":computer: aquaplanet dyamond"
+  #       command:
+  #         - srun julia --color=yes --project=examples examples/hybrid/driver.jl --config_file $CONFIG_PATH/$$JOB_NAME.yml --job_id $$JOB_NAME
+  #       artifact_paths: "$$JOB_NAME/output_active/*"
+  #       agents:
+  #         slurm_gpus: 1
+  #         slurm_time: 24:00:00
+  #       env:
+  #         CLIMACOMMS_DEVICE: "CUDA"
+  #         JOB_NAME: "longrun_aquaplanet_dyamond"
 
   - group: "atmos-only coupler runs"
 
diff --git a/Artifacts.toml b/Artifacts.toml
index 6ea887b27ab..353542ca4aa 100644
--- a/Artifacts.toml
+++ b/Artifacts.toml
@@ -25,3 +25,13 @@ git-tree-sha1 = "6693f8451b447543952b3d557d733c7e5c670ed3"
     [[ozone_concentrations_lowres.download]]
     sha256 = "908384b32e90c733c2173654afbb974d238a9a516ad8965039077c6ddb29b5f0"
     url = "https://caltech.box.com/shared/static/6c16wt7i1htxq6tadpt1ng2uftjgdtpr.gz"
+
+[era5_cloud]
+git-tree-sha1 = "10742e0a2e343d13bb04df379e300a83402d4106"
+
+    [[era5_cloud.download]]
+    sha256 = "bb51e2f2d315b487e05a8d38944d4ad937ee4a40c43b68541220c5d54425e24a"
+    url = "https://caltech.box.com/shared/static/b6ur4ap4vo04j09vdulem96z9fxqlgyn.gz"
+
+
+
diff --git a/config/default_configs/default_config.yml b/config/default_configs/default_config.yml
index 82c44fd0dc6..8c9e2a4d7bb 100644
--- a/config/default_configs/default_config.yml
+++ b/config/default_configs/default_config.yml
@@ -99,6 +99,9 @@ dt_rad:
 idealized_clouds:
   help: "Use idealized clouds in radiation model [`false` (default), `true`]"
   value: false
+prescribed_clouds_in_radiation:
+  help: "Use prescribed clouds in radiation model [`false` (default), `true`]"
+  value: false
 insolation:
   help: "Insolation used in radiation model [`idealized` (default), `timevarying`, `rcemipii`]"
   value: "idealized"
diff --git a/config/model_configs/sphere_aquaplanet_rhoe_equilmoist_allsky_gw_res.yml b/config/model_configs/sphere_aquaplanet_rhoe_equilmoist_allsky_gw_res.yml
index 0c1938aa5b0..d2440021169 100644
--- a/config/model_configs/sphere_aquaplanet_rhoe_equilmoist_allsky_gw_res.yml
+++ b/config/model_configs/sphere_aquaplanet_rhoe_equilmoist_allsky_gw_res.yml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ z_elem: 31
 dz_bottom: 50.0
 rayleigh_sponge: true
 dt: "400secs"
-t_end: "1days"
+t_end: "1hours"
 dt_save_state_to_disk: "24hours"
 vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
 implicit_diffusion: true
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ moist: "equil"
 precip_model: "1M"
 rad: "allskywithclear"
 aerosol_radiation: true
+prescribed_clouds_in_radiation: true
 insolation: "timevarying"
 non_orographic_gravity_wave: true
 orographic_gravity_wave: "gfdl_restart"
diff --git a/examples/Manifest.toml b/examples/Manifest.toml
index d06017817eb..a9fadce4b54 100644
--- a/examples/Manifest.toml
+++ b/examples/Manifest.toml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 julia_version = "1.10.5"
 manifest_format = "2.0"
-project_hash = "4a69d8d0d873926fbb39490c1e1d573fbc26434e"
+project_hash = "0650226b22aae022a4fd4dd08a3323bee9fb506d"
 
 [[deps.ADTypes]]
 git-tree-sha1 = "eea5d80188827b35333801ef97a40c2ed653b081"
@@ -411,9 +411,11 @@ version = "0.7.38"
 
 [[deps.ClimaUtilities]]
 deps = ["Artifacts", "Dates"]
-git-tree-sha1 = "24bd6d5066404af09215c372d0ffea56ed849206"
+git-tree-sha1 = "5ea56b287b36d24a3df2d0e704cea2028ad06b5d"
+repo-rev = "main"
+repo-url = "https://github.com/CliMA/ClimaUtilities.jl.git"
 uuid = "b3f4f4ca-9299-4f7f-bd9b-81e1242a7513"
-version = "0.1.15"
+version = "0.1.17"
 weakdeps = ["Adapt", "CUDA", "ClimaComms", "ClimaCore", "ClimaCoreTempestRemap", "Interpolations", "NCDatasets"]
 
     [deps.ClimaUtilities.extensions]
diff --git a/src/cache/cache.jl b/src/cache/cache.jl
index 08a23b67a19..54c0513609f 100644
--- a/src/cache/cache.jl
+++ b/src/cache/cache.jl
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ function build_cache(Y, atmos, params, surface_setup, sim_info, aerosol_names)
 
     radiation_args =
         atmos.radiation_mode isa RRTMGPI.AbstractRRTMGPMode ?
-        (params, atmos.ozone, aerosol_names, atmos.insolation) : ()
+        (start_date, params, atmos.ozone, aerosol_names, atmos.insolation) : ()
 
     hyperdiff = hyperdiffusion_cache(Y, atmos)
     rayleigh_sponge = rayleigh_sponge_cache(Y, atmos)
diff --git a/src/callbacks/callbacks.jl b/src/callbacks/callbacks.jl
index cc30ceab06c..c563c4ed595 100644
--- a/src/callbacks/callbacks.jl
+++ b/src/callbacks/callbacks.jl
@@ -77,6 +77,12 @@ NVTX.@annotate function rrtmgp_model_callback!(integrator)
             evaluate!(field, tv, t)
         end
     end
+    if :prescribed_clouds_field in propertynames(p.radiation)
+        for (key, tv) in pairs(p.radiation.prescribed_cloud_timevaryinginputs)
+            field = getproperty(p.radiation.prescribed_clouds_field, key)
+            evaluate!(field, tv, t)
+        end
+    end
 
     FT = Spaces.undertype(axes(Y.c))
     thermo_params = CAP.thermodynamics_params(params)
@@ -157,13 +163,31 @@ NVTX.@annotate function rrtmgp_model_callback!(integrator)
             )
             # RRTMGP needs lwp and iwp in g/m^2
             kg_to_g_factor = 1000
-            @. ᶜlwp =
-                kg_to_g_factor * Y.c.ρ * cloud_diagnostics_tuple.q_liq * ᶜΔz /
-                max(cloud_diagnostics_tuple.cf, eps(FT))
-            @. ᶜiwp =
-                kg_to_g_factor * Y.c.ρ * cloud_diagnostics_tuple.q_ice * ᶜΔz /
-                max(cloud_diagnostics_tuple.cf, eps(FT))
-            @. ᶜfrac = cloud_diagnostics_tuple.cf
+            if radiation_mode.prescribed_clouds
+                @. ᶜlwp =
+                    kg_to_g_factor *
+                    Y.c.ρ *
+                    p.radiation.prescribed_clouds_field.clwc *
+                    ᶜΔz / max(p.radiation.prescribed_clouds_field.cc, eps(FT))
+                @. ᶜiwp =
+                    kg_to_g_factor *
+                    Y.c.ρ *
+                    p.radiation.prescribed_clouds_field.ciwc *
+                    ᶜΔz / max(p.radiation.prescribed_clouds_field.cc, eps(FT))
+                @. ᶜfrac = p.radiation.prescribed_clouds_field.cc
+            else
+                @. ᶜlwp =
+                    kg_to_g_factor *
+                    Y.c.ρ *
+                    cloud_diagnostics_tuple.q_liq *
+                    ᶜΔz / max(cloud_diagnostics_tuple.cf, eps(FT))
+                @. ᶜiwp =
+                    kg_to_g_factor *
+                    Y.c.ρ *
+                    cloud_diagnostics_tuple.q_ice *
+                    ᶜΔz / max(cloud_diagnostics_tuple.cf, eps(FT))
+                @. ᶜfrac = cloud_diagnostics_tuple.cf
+            end
         end
     end
 
diff --git a/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/RRTMGPInterface.jl b/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/RRTMGPInterface.jl
index 18c9009cf3d..cb59635818e 100644
--- a/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/RRTMGPInterface.jl
+++ b/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/RRTMGPInterface.jl
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ end
 struct AllSkyRadiation <: AbstractRRTMGPMode
     idealized_h2o::Bool
     idealized_clouds::Bool
+    prescribed_clouds::Bool
     add_isothermal_boundary_layer::Bool
     aerosol_radiation::Bool
     "Reset the RNG seed before calling RRTGMP to a known value (the timestep number). When modeling cloud optics, RRTGMP uses a random number generator. Resetting the seed every time RRTGMP is called to a deterministic value ensures that the simulation is fully reproducible and can be restarted in a reproducible way. Disable this option when running production runs."
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ end
 struct AllSkyRadiationWithClearSkyDiagnostics <: AbstractRRTMGPMode
     idealized_h2o::Bool
     idealized_clouds::Bool
+    prescribed_clouds::Bool
     add_isothermal_boundary_layer::Bool
     aerosol_radiation::Bool
     "Reset the RNG seed before calling RRTGMP to a known value (the timestep number). When modeling cloud optics, RRTGMP uses a random number generator. Resetting the seed every time RRTGMP is called to a deterministic value ensures that the simulation is fully reproducible and can be restarted in a reproducible way. Disable this option when running production runs."
diff --git a/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/radiation.jl b/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/radiation.jl
index daf911e3598..bef49683b9f 100644
--- a/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/radiation.jl
+++ b/src/parameterized_tendencies/radiation/radiation.jl
@@ -10,11 +10,14 @@ import .Parameters as CAP
 import RRTMGP
 import .RRTMGPInterface as RRTMGPI
 
-import Dates: Year
+import Dates: Year, Date
 import ClimaUtilities.TimeVaryingInputs:
-    TimeVaryingInput, LinearPeriodFillingInterpolation
+    TimeVaryingInput,
+    PeriodicCalendar,
+    LinearPeriodFillingInterpolation,
+    LinearInterpolation
 
-import Interpolations
+import Interpolations as Intp
 using Statistics: mean
 
 radiation_model_cache(Y, atmos::AtmosModel, args...) =
@@ -86,6 +89,7 @@ end
 function radiation_model_cache(
     Y,
     radiation_mode::RRTMGPI.AbstractRRTMGPMode,
+    start_date,
     params,
     ozone,
     aerosol_names,
@@ -257,10 +261,48 @@ function radiation_model_cache(
             kwargs...,
         )
     end
+    if radiation_mode.prescribed_clouds
+        cloud_cache = get_cloud_cache(Y, start_date)
+    else
+        cloud_cache = (;)
+    end
     return merge(
         (; rrtmgp_model, ᶠradiation_flux = similar(Y.f, Geometry.WVector{FT})),
         insolation_cache(insolation_mode, Y),
+        cloud_cache,
+    )
+end
+
+function get_cloud_cache(Y, start_date)
+    target_space = axes(Y.c)
+    prescribed_cloud_names = ("cc", "clwc", "ciwc")
+    prescribed_cloud_names_as_symbols = Symbol.(prescribed_cloud_names)
+    extrapolation_bc = (Intp.Periodic(), Intp.Flat(), Intp.Flat())
+    timevaryinginputs = [
+        TimeVaryingInput(
+            joinpath(
+                @clima_artifact("era5_cloud", ClimaComms.context(Y.c)),
+                "era5_cloud.nc",
+            ),
+            name,
+            target_space;
+            reference_date = start_date,
+            regridder_type = :InterpolationsRegridder,
+            regridder_kwargs = (; extrapolation_bc),
+            method = LinearInterpolation(PeriodicCalendar(Year(1), Date(2010))),
+        ) for name in prescribed_cloud_names
+    ]
+
+    prescribed_clouds_field = similar(
+        Y.c,
+        NamedTuple{
+            prescribed_cloud_names_as_symbols,
+            NTuple{length(prescribed_cloud_names_as_symbols), eltype(Y.c.ρ)},
+        },
     )
+    prescribed_cloud_timevaryinginputs =
+        (; zip(prescribed_cloud_names_as_symbols, timevaryinginputs)...)
+    return (; prescribed_clouds_field, prescribed_cloud_timevaryinginputs)
 end
 
 insolation_cache(_, _) = (;)
diff --git a/src/solver/model_getters.jl b/src/solver/model_getters.jl
index a20b3e8469e..1e1a0585e36 100644
--- a/src/solver/model_getters.jl
+++ b/src/solver/model_getters.jl
@@ -221,6 +221,9 @@ function get_radiation_mode(parsed_args, ::Type{FT}) where {FT}
     @assert idealized_h2o in (true, false)
     idealized_clouds = parsed_args["idealized_clouds"]
     @assert idealized_clouds in (true, false)
+    prescribed_clouds = parsed_args["prescribed_clouds_in_radiation"]
+    @assert prescribed_clouds in (true, false)
+    @assert !(idealized_clouds && prescribed_clouds)
     add_isothermal_boundary_layer = parsed_args["add_isothermal_boundary_layer"]
     @assert add_isothermal_boundary_layer in (true, false)
     aerosol_radiation = parsed_args["aerosol_radiation"]
@@ -254,6 +257,7 @@ function get_radiation_mode(parsed_args, ::Type{FT}) where {FT}
         RRTMGPI.AllSkyRadiation(
             idealized_h2o,
             idealized_clouds,
+            prescribed_clouds,
             add_isothermal_boundary_layer,
             aerosol_radiation,
             reset_rng_seed,
@@ -262,6 +266,7 @@ function get_radiation_mode(parsed_args, ::Type{FT}) where {FT}
         RRTMGPI.AllSkyRadiationWithClearSkyDiagnostics(
             idealized_h2o,
             idealized_clouds,
+            prescribed_clouds,
             add_isothermal_boundary_layer,
             aerosol_radiation,
             reset_rng_seed,