Large Eddy Simulations of Arctic Mixed-Phase Clouds

Investigating aerosol-cloud interactions is particularly important in regions where aerosol concentrations are generally low. The high latitudes represent such pristine environments, with aerosol concentrations reaching values below 1 cm-3. Regardless these predominant low ambient aerosol concentrations, boundary layer mixed-phase clouds do occur and are very persistent in these areas (Morrison et al., 2011; Shupe et al., 2006).

We address how mixed-phase clouds respond to aerosol perturbations under varying dynamic conditions in the Arctic. For that purpose, we perform case studies based on measurement campaigns using high resolution large eddy simulations (LES) with the COSMO model (Schättler at al., 2000). In addition to a rather sophisticated cloud microphysics parameterization, we developed interactive aerosol physics to investigate aerosol-cloud interactions with high accuracy.

For more information contact Gesa Eirund.