Low-level mixed-phase clouds in a complex Arctic environment

• Published in: Atmospheric chemistry and physics 2020-03, Vol.20 (6), p.3459-3481
• Main Authors: Gierens, Rosa, Kneifel, Stefan, Shupe, Matthew D, Ebell, Kerstin, Maturilli, Marion, Löhnert, Ulrich
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic clouds; Arctic environments; Arctic zone; Atmospheric boundary layer; Autumn; Boundary layer dynamics; Boundary layers; Climate change; Clouds; Clouds (Meteorology); Coupling; Easterlies; Fjords; Glacier winds; Glaciers; Height; Ice; Ice environments; Identification methods; Instruments; Katabatic winds; Local wind patterns; Local winds; Meteorological observations; Orography; Physical properties; Polar environments; Properties (attributes); Regional development; Remote sensing; Seasonal variation; Seasonal variations; Surface properties; Surface science; Temperature; Time; Topography; Tropospheric winds; Water; Weather; Wind; Wind direction
• ISSN: 1680-7324; 1680-7316; 1680-7324
• DOI: 10.5194/acp-20-3459-2020

Low-level mixed-phase clouds (MPCs) are common in the Arctic. Both local and large-scale phenomena influence the properties and lifetime of MPCs. Arctic fjords are characterized by complex terrain and large variations in surface properties. Yet, not many studies have investigated the impact of local boundary layer dynamics and their relative importance on MPCs in the fjord environment. In this work, we used a combination of ground-based remote sensing instruments, surface meteorological observations, radiosoundings, and reanalysis data to study persistent low-level MPCs at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, for a 2.5-year period. Methods to identify the cloud regime, surface coupling, and regional and local wind patterns were developed. We found that persistent low-level MPCs were most common with westerly winds, and the westerly clouds had a higher mean liquid (42 g m−2) and ice water path (16 g m−2) compared to those with easterly winds. The increased height and rarity of persistent MPCs with easterly free-tropospheric winds suggest the island and its orography have an influence on the studied clouds. Seasonal variation in the liquid water path was found to be minimal, although the occurrence of persistent MPCs, their height, and their ice water path all showed notable seasonal dependency. Most of the studied MPCs were decoupled from the surface (63 %–82 % of the time). The coupled clouds had 41 % higher liquid water path than the fully decoupled ones. Local winds in the fjord were related to the frequency of surface coupling, and we propose that katabatic winds from the glaciers in the vicinity of the station may cause clouds to decouple. We concluded that while the regional to large-scale wind direction was important for the persistent MPC occurrence and properties, the local-scale phenomena (local wind patterns in the fjord and surface coupling) also had an influence. Moreover, this suggests that local boundary layer processes should be described in models in order to present low-level MPC properties accurately.