Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model
<p>Projections of global climate change and Arctic amplification are sensitive to the representation of low-level cloud phase in climate models. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are necessary for primary cloud ice formation at temperatures above approximately <span class="inline-formula...
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Copernicus Publications
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/1617/2025/acp-25-1617-2025.pdf |
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| author | A. B. Gjelsvik R. O. David T. Carlsen F. Hellmuth S. Hofer Z. McGraw Z. McGraw H. Sodemann H. Sodemann T. Storelvmo T. Storelvmo |
| author_facet | A. B. Gjelsvik R. O. David T. Carlsen F. Hellmuth S. Hofer Z. McGraw Z. McGraw H. Sodemann H. Sodemann T. Storelvmo T. Storelvmo |
| author_sort | A. B. Gjelsvik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Projections of global climate change and Arctic amplification are sensitive to the representation of low-level cloud phase in climate models. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are necessary for primary cloud ice formation at temperatures above approximately <span class="inline-formula">−</span>38 °C and thus significantly affect cloud phase and cloud radiative effect (CRE). Due to their complex and insufficiently understood variability, INPs constitute an important modelling challenge, especially in remote regions with few observations, such as the Arctic. In this study, INP observations were carried out at Andenes, Norway, in March 2021. These observations were used as a basis for an Arctic-specific and purely temperature-dependent INP parameterization, which was implemented into the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM). This implementation results in an annual average increase in cloud liquid water path (CLWP) of 70 % for the Arctic and improves the representation of cloud phase compared to satellite observations. The change in CLWP in boreal autumn and winter is found to likely be the dominant contributor to the annual average increase in net surface CRE of 2 W m<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−2</sup></span>. This large surface flux increase brings the simulation into better agreement with Arctic ground-based measurements. Despite the fact that the model cannot respond fully to the INP parameterization change due to fixed sea surface temperatures, Arctic surface air temperature increases by 0.7 °C in boreal autumn. These findings indicate that INPs could have a significant impact on Arctic climate and that a region-specific INP parameterization can be a useful tool to improve cloud representation in the Arctic region.</p> |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a28b1c8dc79a4308a485b7d4f8223bdd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| spelling | doaj-art-a28b1c8dc79a4308a485b7d4f8223bdd2025-02-05T09:28:13ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242025-02-01251617163710.5194/acp-25-1617-2025Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate modelA. B. Gjelsvik0R. O. David1T. Carlsen2F. Hellmuth3S. Hofer4Z. McGraw5Z. McGraw6H. Sodemann7H. Sodemann8T. Storelvmo9T. Storelvmo10Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USANASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, NY, USAGeophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayBjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayNord University Business School, Nord University, Bodø, Norway<p>Projections of global climate change and Arctic amplification are sensitive to the representation of low-level cloud phase in climate models. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are necessary for primary cloud ice formation at temperatures above approximately <span class="inline-formula">−</span>38 °C and thus significantly affect cloud phase and cloud radiative effect (CRE). Due to their complex and insufficiently understood variability, INPs constitute an important modelling challenge, especially in remote regions with few observations, such as the Arctic. In this study, INP observations were carried out at Andenes, Norway, in March 2021. These observations were used as a basis for an Arctic-specific and purely temperature-dependent INP parameterization, which was implemented into the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM). This implementation results in an annual average increase in cloud liquid water path (CLWP) of 70 % for the Arctic and improves the representation of cloud phase compared to satellite observations. The change in CLWP in boreal autumn and winter is found to likely be the dominant contributor to the annual average increase in net surface CRE of 2 W m<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−2</sup></span>. This large surface flux increase brings the simulation into better agreement with Arctic ground-based measurements. Despite the fact that the model cannot respond fully to the INP parameterization change due to fixed sea surface temperatures, Arctic surface air temperature increases by 0.7 °C in boreal autumn. These findings indicate that INPs could have a significant impact on Arctic climate and that a region-specific INP parameterization can be a useful tool to improve cloud representation in the Arctic region.</p>https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/1617/2025/acp-25-1617-2025.pdf |
| spellingShingle | A. B. Gjelsvik R. O. David T. Carlsen F. Hellmuth S. Hofer Z. McGraw Z. McGraw H. Sodemann H. Sodemann T. Storelvmo T. Storelvmo Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| title | Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model |
| title_full | Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model |
| title_fullStr | Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model |
| title_short | Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model |
| title_sort | using a region specific ice nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of arctic clouds in a global climate model |
| url | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/1617/2025/acp-25-1617-2025.pdf |
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