| Abstract |
Arctic clouds play a significant role in modulating the surface energy budget, and thereby surface (permafrost, sea ice, snow) melt and lifecycle. In particular, mixed-phase stratiform clouds occur with high frequency and generally work to warm the surface. However, due to difficulties in representing key processes in models and a lack of understanding of fundamental processes, our predictive capabilities are not able to accurately portray these features, resulting in biases in simulated Arctic surface energy budgets. To solve this problem, numerous observational efforts have been undertaken around the Arctic. In this presentation, I’ll provide an overview of recent efforts to better understand the lifecycle of these clouds undertaken under one such effort, lead by the US Department of Energy site at Oliktok Point, Alaska. This work includes analysis of measurements from manned and unmanned research aircraft, surface-based in-situ and remote sensors, and in-situ measurements obtained using a tethered balloon system. Specific topic areas of focus include aerosol properties, aerosol-cloud interactions, boundary layer structure and cloud interactions, and ice microphysics.
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