The arctic region is warming two to three times faster than the global mean temperature, increasing its ability to carry moisture, intensifying the hydrological cycle in the high north. Understanding the microphysics of Arctic precipitation, including the processes that govern its formation and evolution, is essential for improving our ability to predict its response to climate change. However, Arctic precipitation is poorly understood, due to the logistical challenges of conducting long-term field campaigns in this remote and harsh environment. India’s first research station, Himadri, was established in 2008 at Ny-Ålesund, on Svalbard’s western shore. Due to its location, the atmosphere of this station is primarily impacted by the neighboring orographic features and the diabatic heating of the ocean. The station is equipped with a vertically pointed Micro Rain Radar (MRR) and an OTT2 disdrometer, which provide detailed measurements of precipitation from the ground to the cloud base. Different types of precipitation have been observed in the Arctic in the form of liquid, solid and their mixture. Case studies of precipitation transitions (e.g., snow-to-rain) show that the vertical evolution of precipitation is different for each type of precipitation. The presence of a melting layer (near 800 m) in the atmosphere is observed during the rain fall events. The snowfall events are observed to start from ~3 to 4 km. The findings of this study also provide insights into the microphysics of Arctic precipitation and its growth mechanisms in the atmosphere. This information is essential for improving the accuracy of climate models and predicting the future of Arctic precipitation.

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Microphysical Study of Precipitation over Ny-Ålesund, an Arctic Location

  • Lekhraj Saini,
  • Saurabh Das,
  • Nuncio Murukesh

摘要

The arctic region is warming two to three times faster than the global mean temperature, increasing its ability to carry moisture, intensifying the hydrological cycle in the high north. Understanding the microphysics of Arctic precipitation, including the processes that govern its formation and evolution, is essential for improving our ability to predict its response to climate change. However, Arctic precipitation is poorly understood, due to the logistical challenges of conducting long-term field campaigns in this remote and harsh environment. India’s first research station, Himadri, was established in 2008 at Ny-Ålesund, on Svalbard’s western shore. Due to its location, the atmosphere of this station is primarily impacted by the neighboring orographic features and the diabatic heating of the ocean. The station is equipped with a vertically pointed Micro Rain Radar (MRR) and an OTT2 disdrometer, which provide detailed measurements of precipitation from the ground to the cloud base. Different types of precipitation have been observed in the Arctic in the form of liquid, solid and their mixture. Case studies of precipitation transitions (e.g., snow-to-rain) show that the vertical evolution of precipitation is different for each type of precipitation. The presence of a melting layer (near 800 m) in the atmosphere is observed during the rain fall events. The snowfall events are observed to start from ~3 to 4 km. The findings of this study also provide insights into the microphysics of Arctic precipitation and its growth mechanisms in the atmosphere. This information is essential for improving the accuracy of climate models and predicting the future of Arctic precipitation.