Evaluating Challenges of a PBL-Space Based Observing System in Polar Regions

In the framework of the recently released NASA decadal survey from the National Research Council 2017-2027, this work proposes a comparative assessment between satellite remote sensing retrieval of PBL variables against mesoscale modeling.

Polar-PBLs over continental and ocean surfaces represent several important challenges in the concept development of future remote sensing missions. Some of the more prominent issues are, for example, the lack of thermal contrast between snow- and icy-surfaces and the lower levels of the troposphere during winters; the presence of multi-layered temperature inversion layers as well as the unusual frequency of daytime free convective layers during summers. Additionally, and with the aim to broaden the scientific impact of a future PBL-mission, it is also important to analyze what additional parameters can be determined that will improve high resolution mesoscale modeling efforts of the PBL.

The proposed comparative assessment comprises mesoscale model outputs against spatial retrievals of PBL structural parameters using GPSRO and surface and air temperatures and radiative fluxes by means of AIRS data products. The selected modeling area involves ocean and land over hilly terrain in the South-East Alaska for the warm seasons 2006 to 2012. High resolution 40 sec profiles are averaged over hourly time step outputs with center domain over Glacier Bay (58.5^o, -135.5^o) covering the entire Alaska Panhandle, portions of British Columbia and Yukon Territory. Simulation domain was 110 x 110 grid cells with a 7 km increment in 28-vertical layers.

Outcomes of this work are oriented towards initiating a critical discussion on the technology necessary for a future PBL-mission to benefit worldwide studies in high latitude air pollution, weather forecast and improvement of dynamic downscaling of climate model outputs to regional levels below the 20 km range.