Assessing the representativeness of Barrow soundings using Aerosondes

Aerosondes have been deployed from Barrow as part of the NSF sponsored Arctic Long-Term Observing Program to demonstrate their capacity to obtain observations over remote stretches of the Arctic Ocean. The Aerosonde is a small long-endurance robotic aircraft that can obtain measurements in remote data sparse regions of the globe at an economy of cost. Three month-long field missions have been undertaken out of Barrow over the past year covering a range of scientific objectives. In this study we use the Aerosonde to assess horizontal variability in temperature and moisture profiles in the coastal region of the North Slope of Alaska. The Aerosonde data are used to determine of the representativeness and accuracy of soundings obtained at Barrow by the National Weather Service and the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program. The comparison is made in both spring and fall, representing entirely different surface and atmospheric conditions. Approximately 500 flight hours have been conducted in the past year (April 2002-April 2003) with profiling maneuvers being flown during most of the flights. Profiles of temperature and moisture obtained over Point Barrow with Aerosondes show subtle differences from those obtained with radiosondes and are used to demonstrate the accuracy of the various sensors. It is found that the representativeness of the Barrow soundings is a function of several factors including surface conditions and the mean geostrophic wind direction.