Recorded presentation10.4
Dynamical-microphysical interactions in Arctic mixed-phase clouds
Matthew Shupe, CIRES/Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Arctic stratiform mixed-phase clouds are widespread and persistent in spite of their continual mass loss through precipitating ice. To persist, these clouds rely on dynamical-microphysical interactions to generate sufficient amounts of super-cooled liquid water to compensate for the loss of mass. While observational and modeling studies have provided a wealth of information on these clouds and their processes over the past few decades, a comprehensive conceptual model for the Arctic mixed-phase cloud lifecycle is lacking. Observational analyses are presented that characterize important dynamical-microphysical interactions in Arctic mixed-phase clouds under a variety of conditions. These conditions range from coastal land to sea-ice-covered ocean and encompass significant seasonal variations in surface type, aerosol concentrations, and large-scale forcings. A particular focus is placed on the relationships between cloud-scale vertical velocity, turbulence, and the liquid and ice cloud microphysical properties. Timeseries analyses are applied to deduce the important scales-of-variability for these properties and their interactions.
Session 10, Stratiform Clouds
Thursday, 1 July 2010, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM, Cascade Ballroom
Previous paper Next paper