Impacts of CAM5 Cloud Microphysics on Arctic clouds and radiation

Arctic cloud processes are complex and climate models typically struggle to accurately represent cloud amount, water phase, and the corresponding radiative fluxes. We conduct a thorough examination of Arctic cloud processes in the CAM5 model, which contains 2-moment liquid and ice cloud microphysics. Simulations with the base model and with an improved mixed-phase ice nucleation scheme at 1 degree horizontal resolution are studied. Arctic cloud properties and radiative fluxes are compared for the two simulations and with basin-wide satellite observations and local surface observations. Suggestions for model improvement are highlighted.