Accession Number:

AD1041493

Title:

Atmospheric Profiles, Clouds and the Evolution of Sea Ice Cover in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas: Atmospheric Observations and Modeling as Part of the Seasonal Ice Zone Reconnaissance Surveys

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report,01 Jan 2012,31 Dec 2016

Corporate Author:

University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory Seattle United States

Personal Author(s):

• Schweiger, Axel
• Lindsay,Ron
• Zhang,Jinlun
• Liu,Zheng
• Lawrence,Dale A.
• Maslanik,James

Report Date:

2017-06-04

Pagination or Media Count:

13.0

Abstract:

The goal of this project was to examine the role of sea-ice and atmospheric interactions in the retreat of the SIZ. As sea ice retreats further, changes in lower atmospheric temperature, humidity, winds, and clouds are likely to result from changed sea ice concentrations and ocean temperatures. We conducted a combination of targeted measurements and modeling experiments as part of the atmospheric component of the Seasonal Ice Zone Reconnaissance Survey project SIZRS. Combined with oceanographic and sea ice components of the SIZRS project. The projects identified biases in standard forecasting and reanalysis products relative to aircraft observed vertical atmospheric profiles. The biases, particularly a misrepresentation of the lower level atmospheric were found to be related to excessive vertical mixing in global models. We also examined the variability of clouds over the BeaufortChukchi sea area. We found a strong connection with synoptic variability and a strong connection of melt-onset with clear, warm advection events.

Descriptors:

• sea ice atmospheres
• marginal ice zones
• water vapor
• high pressure
• air masses
• atmospheric temperature
• dropsondes
• temperature
• oceans
• wind
• humidity
• clouds

Subject Categories:

• Snow, Ice and Permafrost

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE