New insights into ice multiplication using remote-sensing observations of slightly supercooled mixed-phase clouds in the Arctic

Journal Article · 21 March 2021 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2021387118 · OSTI ID:1772248

Luke, Edward P.  ^[1]; Yang, Fan  ^[1]; Kollias, Pavlos  ^[2]; Vogelmann, Andrew M.  ^[1]; Maahn, Maximilian  ^[3]

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1. Environmental and Climate Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973,
2. Environmental and Climate Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973,, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794,
3. Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80305,, Physical Sciences Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO 80305

Significance During secondary ice events, ice particle number concentrations in mixed-phase clouds can increase by orders of magnitude with profound implications for the cloud evolution. However, characterization of secondary ice events in the natural environment has been a challenge for the community for decades. We show the long-term frequency of secondary ice events in Arctic supercooled clouds for temperatures warmer than − ${10}^{\hspace{0.17em}○}$ C, made possible by applying a remote-sensing technique to 6 y of data. Secondary ice events are found to occur preferentially in the presence of drizzle droplets, compared with the better-known rime-splintering process, causing up to a 1,000-fold enhancement in ice number concentration. These results provide critical insights for model parameterizations and future laboratory experiments.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0012704; SC0013306
• OSTI ID: 1772248
• Report Number(s): BNL-221232-2021-JAAM; e2021387118
• Journal Information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 118; ISSN 0027-8424
• Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English