A detailed numerical model for studies of Arctic aerosol-cloud-climate interactions
Funding source: Swedish Research Council - Vetenskapsrådet (VR)
Period: 1/1/09 - 1/1/12
Funding: 1147500 SEK
Description:
The aim of this project is to improve our fundamental understanding of processes governing the structure and dynamics of summertime Arctic low-level clouds. These clouds are crucial for the energy balance and play an important role in several potential climate feedback mechanisms. Global climate models have difficulties simulating even such basic features as the annual cycle of Arctic low-level cloud fraction. This is related to the fact that these models often consider microphysical processes and aerosol-cloud interactions in a simplistic manner, using parameterizations designed for low- and mid-latitude clouds. In this project, we will study aerosol-cloud and radiation interactions as well as the dynamics of the Arctic clouds in detail. A high-resolution 3D model, specifically aimed at exploring Arctic aerosol-cloud interaction, will be developed and applied. To constrain the model and further develop the parameterizations we will make use of the large number of unique data to be gathered during the International Polar Year. The achieved knowledge will also be used to assess future climate change effects on low-level clouds in the summertime Arctic.
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