scholarly journals Ice formation and development in aged, wintertime cumulus over the UK: observations and modelling

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4963-4985 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Crawford ◽  
K. N. Bower ◽  
T. W. Choularton ◽  
C. Dearden ◽  
J. Crosier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Production ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Surface Acting ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract. In situ high resolution aircraft measurements of cloud microphysical properties were made in coordination with ground based remote sensing observations of a line of small cumulus clouds, using Radar and Lidar, as part of the Aerosol Properties, PRocesses And InfluenceS on the Earth's climate (APPRAISE) project. A narrow but extensive line (~100 km long) of shallow convective clouds over the southern UK was studied. Cloud top temperatures were observed to be higher than −8 °C, but the clouds were seen to consist of supercooled droplets and varying concentrations of ice particles. No ice particles were observed to be falling into the cloud tops from above. Current parameterisations of ice nuclei (IN) numbers predict too few particles will be active as ice nuclei to account for ice particle concentrations at the observed, near cloud top, temperatures (−7.5 °C). The role of mineral dust particles, consistent with concentrations observed near the surface, acting as high temperature IN is considered important in this case. It was found that very high concentrations of ice particles (up to 100 L−1) could be produced by secondary ice particle production providing the observed small amount of primary ice (about 0.01 L−1) was present to initiate it. This emphasises the need to understand primary ice formation in slightly supercooled clouds. It is shown using simple calculations that the Hallett-Mossop process (HM) is the likely source of the secondary ice. Model simulations of the case study were performed with the Aerosol Cloud and Precipitation Interactions Model (ACPIM). These parcel model investigations confirmed the HM process to be a very important mechanism for producing the observed high ice concentrations. A key step in generating the high concentrations was the process of collision and coalescence of rain drops, which once formed fell rapidly through the cloud, collecting ice particles which caused them to freeze and form instant large riming particles. The broadening of the droplet size-distribution by collision-coalescence was, therefore, a vital step in this process as this was required to generate the large number of ice crystals observed in the time available. Simulations were also performed with the WRF (Weather, Research and Forecasting) model. The results showed that while HM does act to increase the mass and number concentration of ice particles in these model simulations it was not found to be critical for the formation of precipitation. However, the WRF simulations produced a cloud top that was too cold and this, combined with the assumption of continual replenishing of ice nuclei removed by ice crystal formation, resulted in too many ice crystals forming by primary nucleation compared to the observations and parcel modelling.

scholarly journals Ice formation and development in aged, wintertime cumulus over the UK : observations and modelling

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 30797-30851 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Crawford ◽  
K. N. Bower ◽  
T. W. Choularton ◽  
C. Dearden ◽  
J. Crosier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Production ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Ice Production

Abstract. In-situ high resolution aircraft measurements of cloud microphysical properties were made in coordination with ground based remote sensing observations of Radar and Lidar as part of the Aerosol Properties, PRocesses And InfluenceS on the Earth's climate (APPRAISE) project. A narrow but extensive line (~100 km long) of shallow convective clouds over the southern UK was studied. Cloud top temperatures were observed to be higher than ~−8 °C, but the clouds were seen to consist of supercooled droplets and varying concentrations of ice particles. No ice particles were observed to be falling into the cloud tops from above. Current parameterisations of ice nuclei (IN) numbers predict too few particles will be active as ice nuclei to account for ice particle concentrations at the observed near cloud top temperatures (~−7 °C). The role of biological particles, consistent with concentrations observed near the surface, acting as potential efficient high temperature IN is considered important in this case. It was found that very high concentrations of ice particles (up to 100 L−1) could be produced by powerful secondary ice particle production emphasising the importance of understanding primary ice formation in slightly supercooled clouds. Aircraft penetrations at −3.5 °C, showed peak ice crystal concentrations of up to 100 L−1 which together with the characteristic ice crystal habits observed (generally rimed ice particles and columns) suggested secondary ice production had occurred. To investigate whether the Hallett-Mossop (HM) secondary ice production process could account for these observations, ice splinter production rates were calculated. These calculated rates and observations could only be reconciled provided the constraint that only droplets >24 μm in diameter could lead to splinter production, was relaxed slightly by 2 μm. Model simulations of the case study were also performed with the WRF (Weather, Research and Forecasting) model and ACPIM (Aerosol Cloud and Precipitation Interactions Model) to investigate the likely origins of the ice phase in these slightly supercooled clouds and to assess the role played by the HM process in this and in controlling precipitation formation under these conditions. WRF results showed that while HM does act to increase the mass and number concentration of ice particles produced in the model simulations, in the absence of HM, the ice number concentration arising from primary ice nucleation alone (several L−1) was apparently sufficient to sustain precipitation although the distribution of the precipitation was changed. Thus in the WRF model the HM process was shown to be non-critical for the formation of precipitation in this particular case. However, this result is seen to be subject to an important caveat concerning the simulation of the cloud macrostructure. The model was unable to capture a sharp temperature inversion seen in the radiosonde profiles at 2 km, and consequently the cloud top temperature in the model was able to reach lower values than observed in-situ or obtained from satellite data. ACPIM simulations confirmed the HM process to be a very powerful mechanism for producing the observed high ice concentrations, provided that primary nucleation occured to initiate the ice formation, and large droplets were present which then fell collecting the primary ice particles to form instant rimer particles. However, the time to generate the observed peak ice concentrations was found to be dependant on the number of primary IN present (decreasing with increasing IN number). This became realistic (around 20 min) only when the temperature input to the existing IN parameterisation was 6 °C lower than observed at cloud top, highlighting the requirement to improve basic knowledge of the number and type of IN active at these high temperatures. In simulations where cloud droplet numbers were realistic the precipitation rate was found to be unaffected by HM, with warm rain processes dominating precipitation development in this instance.

scholarly journals Small ice particles at slightly supercooled temperatures in tropical maritime convection

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 3895-3904
Author(s):  
Gary Lloyd ◽  
Thomas Choularton ◽  
Keith Bower ◽  
Jonathan Crosier ◽  
Martin Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Cumulus Clouds ◽  
Desert Dust ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Small Crystals ◽  
Vapour Diffusion ◽  
Very High

Abstract. In this paper we show that the origin of the ice phase in tropical cumulus clouds over the sea may occur by primary ice nucleation of small crystals at temperatures just between 0 and −5 ∘C. This was made possible through use of a holographic instrument able to image cloud particles at very high resolution and small size (6 µm). The environment in which the observations were conducted was notable for the presence of desert dust advected over the ocean from the Sahara. However, there is no laboratory evidence to suggest that these dust particles can act as ice nuclei at temperatures warmer than about −10 ∘C, the zone in which the first ice was observed in these clouds. The small ice particles were observed to grow rapidly by vapour diffusion, riming, and possibly through collisions with supercooled raindrops, causing these to freeze and potentially shatter. This in turn leads to the further production of secondary ice in these clouds. Hence, although the numbers of primary ice particles are small, they are very effective in initiating the rapid glaciation of the cloud, altering the dynamics and precipitation production processes.

scholarly journals MADE-IN: a new aerosol microphysics submodel for global simulation of potential atmospheric ice nuclei

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 2221-2290 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Aquila ◽  
J. Hendricks ◽  
A. Lauer ◽  
N. Riemer ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Cloud Processing ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Hygroscopic Properties ◽  
Mixing States ◽  
Made In

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) and mineral dust are among the dominant atmospheric ice nuclei, i.e. aerosol particles that can initiate heterogeneous nucleation of ice crystals. When released, most BC and dust particles are externally mixed with other aerosol compounds. Through coagulation with particles containing soluble material and condensation of gases, externally mixed particles may obtain a coating and be transferred into an internal mixture. The mixing state of BC and dust aerosol particles influences their radiative and hygroscopic properties, as well as their ability of building ice crystals. We introduce the new aerosol microphysics submodel MADE-IN, implemented within the ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry global model (EMAC). MADE-IN is able to track separately mass and number concentrations of BC and dust particles in their different mixing states, as well as particles free of BC and dust. MADE-IN describes these three classes of particles through a superposition of seven log-normally distributed modes, and predicts the evolution of their size distribution and chemical composition. Six out of the seven modes are mutually interacting, allowing for the transfer of mass and number among them. Separate modes for the different mixing states of BC and dust particles in EMAC/MADE-IN allow for explicit simulations of the relevant aging processes, i.e. condensation, coagulation and cloud processing. EMAC/MADE-IN has been evaluated with surface and airborne measurements and performs well both in the planetary boundary layer and in the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere. Such a model represents a highly appropriate tool for the study of the concentration and composition of potential atmospheric ice nuclei.

scholarly journals Implementation of a comprehensive ice crystal formation parameterization for cirrus and mixed-phase clouds in the EMAC model (based on MESSy 2.53)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4021-4041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bacer ◽  
Sylvia C. Sullivan ◽  
Vlassis A. Karydis ◽  
Donifan Barahona ◽  
Martina Krämer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Cirrus Clouds ◽  
Mixed Phase ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Mixed Phase Clouds

Abstract. A comprehensive ice nucleation parameterization has been implemented in the global chemistry-climate model EMAC to improve the representation of ice crystal number concentrations (ICNCs). The parameterization of Barahona and Nenes (2009, hereafter BN09) allows for the treatment of ice nucleation taking into account the competition for water vapour between homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation in cirrus clouds. Furthermore, the influence of chemically heterogeneous, polydisperse aerosols is considered by applying one of the multiple ice nucleating particle parameterizations which are included in BN09 to compute the heterogeneously formed ice crystals. BN09 has been modified in order to consider the pre-existing ice crystal effect and implemented to operate both in the cirrus and in the mixed-phase regimes. Compared to the standard EMAC parameterizations, BN09 produces fewer ice crystals in the upper troposphere but higher ICNCs in the middle troposphere, especially in the Northern Hemisphere where ice nucleating mineral dust particles are relatively abundant. Overall, ICNCs agree well with the observations, especially in cold cirrus clouds (at temperatures below 205 K), although they are underestimated between 200 and 220 K. As BN09 takes into account processes which were previously neglected by the standard version of the model, it is recommended for future EMAC simulations.

scholarly journals Graupel and Hail Terminal Velocities: Does a “Supercritical” Reynolds Number Apply?

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 3392-3403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Heymsfield ◽  
Robert Wright
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Critical Reynolds Number ◽  
Terminal Velocity ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Large Spherical

Abstract This study characterizes the terminal velocities of heavily rimed ice crystals and aggregates, graupel, and hail using a combination of recent drag coefficient and particle bulk density observations. Based on a nondimensional Reynolds number (Re)–Best number (X) approach that applies to atmospheric temperatures and pressures where these particles develop and fall, the authors develop a relationship that spans a wide range of particle sizes. The Re–X relationship can be used to derive the terminal velocities of rimed particles for many applications. Earlier observations suggest that a “supercritical” Reynolds number is reached where the drag coefficient for large spherical ice—hail—drops precipitously and the terminal velocities increase rapidly. The authors draw on observations and model simulations for slightly roughened large ice particles that suggest that the critical Reynolds number is dampened and that the rapid increase in the terminal velocity of smooth spherical ice particles rarely occurs for natural hailstones.

scholarly journals Model simulations with COSMO-SPECS: Impact of heterogeneous freezing modes and ice nucleating particle types on ice formation and precipitation in a deep convective cloud

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karoline Diehl ◽  
Verena Grützun
Keyword(s):  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Reference Case ◽  
Small Perturbations ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Homogeneous Freezing ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

Abstract. In deep convective clouds, heavy rain is often formed involving the ice phase as essential process. Simulations were performed using the 3D cloud resolving model COSMO-SPECS with detailed spectral microphysics including parametrizations of homogeneous and three heterogeneous freezing modes. The initial conditions were selected to result in a deep convective cloud reaching 14 km altitude with strong updrafts up to 40 m/s. In such altitudes with corresponding temperatures below −40 °C the major fraction of liquid drops freezes homogeneously. The goal of the present model simulations was to investigate how additional heterogeneous freezing will affect ice formation and precipitation although its contribution to total ice formation may be rather low. In such a situation small perturbations which do not show significant effects at first sight may trigger cloud microphysical responses. Effects of the following small perturbations were studied: (1) additional ice formation via immersion, contact, and deposition modes in comparison to sole homogeneous freezing, (2) contact and deposition freezing in comparison to immersion freezing, (3) small fractions of biological ice nucleating particles (INP) in comparison to higher fractions of mineral dust INP. The results indicate that the modification of precipitation proceeds via the formation of larger ice particles which may be supported by direct freezing of larger drops, the growth of pristine ice particles by riming, and by nucleation of larger drops by collisions with pristine ice particles. In comparison to the reference case homogeneous freezing such small perturbations may affect an enhancement of total precipitation but mostly the effects are limited to modifications of the temporal development of precipitation, i.e. a gradual increase already at early cloud stages instead a strong increase at later cloud stages. These effects are coupled with changes in the local distribution of precipitation, i.e. approximately 50 % more precipitation in the cloud center. The modifications depend on the active freezing modes, the fractions of active INP, and the composition of the internal mixtures in the drops.

scholarly journals Implementation of a comprehensive ice crystal formation parameterization for cirrus and mixed-phase clouds into the EMAC model (based on MESSy 2.53)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bacer ◽  
Sylvia C. Sullivan ◽  
Vlassis A. Karydis ◽  
Donifan Barahona ◽  
Martina Krämer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Mixed Phase ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Particle Spectra ◽  
Mixed Phase Clouds

Abstract. A comprehensive ice nucleation parameterization has been implemented in the global chemistry-climate model EMAC to realistically represent ice crystal number concentrations. The parameterization of Barahona and Nenes (2009, hereafter BN09) allows the treatment of ice nucleation, taking into account the competition for water vapour between homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation and pre-existing ice crystals in cold clouds. Furthermore, the influence of chemically-heterogeneous, polydisperse aerosols is considered via multiple ice nucleating particle spectra, which are included in the parameterization to compute the heterogeneously formed ice crystals. BN09 has been implemented to operate both in the cirrus and in the mixed-phase regimes. Compared to the standard EMAC results, BN09 produces fewer ice crystals in the upper troposphere but higher ice crystal number concentrations in the middle troposphere, especially in the Northern Hemisphere where ice nucleating mineral dust particles are relatively abundant. The comparison with a climatological data set of aircraft measurements shows that BN09 used in the cirrus regime improves the model results and, therefore, is recommended for future EMAC simulations.

scholarly journals Model simulations with COSMO-SPECS: impact of heterogeneous freezing modes and ice nucleating particle types on ice formation and precipitation in a deep convective cloud

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 3619-3639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karoline Diehl ◽  
Verena Grützun
Keyword(s):  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Small Perturbations ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Homogeneous Freezing ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

Abstract. In deep convective clouds, heavy rain is often formed involving the ice phase. Simulations were performed using the 3-D cloud resolving model COSMO-SPECS with detailed spectral microphysics including parameterizations of homogeneous and three heterogeneous freezing modes. The initial conditions were selected to result in a deep convective cloud reaching 14 km of altitude with strong updrafts up to 40 m s−1. At such altitudes with corresponding temperatures below −40 ∘C the major fraction of liquid drops freezes homogeneously. The goal of the present model simulations was to investigate how additional heterogeneous freezing will affect ice formation and precipitation although its contribution to total ice formation may be rather low. In such a situation small perturbations that do not show significant effects at first sight may trigger cloud microphysical responses. Effects of the following small perturbations were studied: (1) additional ice formation via immersion, contact, and deposition modes in comparison to solely homogeneous freezing, (2) contact and deposition freezing in comparison to immersion freezing, and (3) small fractions of biological ice nucleating particles (INPs) in comparison to higher fractions of mineral dust INP. The results indicate that the modification of precipitation proceeds via the formation of larger ice particles, which may be supported by direct freezing of larger drops, the growth of pristine ice particles by riming, and by nucleation of larger drops by collisions with pristine ice particles. In comparison to the reference case with homogeneous freezing only, such small perturbations due to additional heterogeneous freezing rather affect the total precipitation amount. It is more likely that the temporal development and the local distribution of precipitation are affected by such perturbations. This results in a gradual increase in precipitation at early cloud stages instead of a strong increase at later cloud stages coupled with approximately 50 % more precipitation in the cloud center. The modifications depend on the active freezing modes, the fractions of active INP, and the composition of the internal mixtures in the drops.

scholarly journals Influence of particle size on the ice nucleating ability of mineral dusts

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 6929-6955 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Welti ◽  
F. Lüönd ◽  
O. Stetzer ◽  
U. Lohmann
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Size Dependence ◽  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Mineral Dusts ◽  
Measured Activation ◽  
Formation Efficiency

Abstract. The recently developed Zurich Ice Nucleation Chamber (ZINC) was used to explore ice nucleation of size-selected mineral dust particles at temperatures between −20°C and −55°C. Four different mineral dust species have been tested: montmorillonite, kaolinite, illite and Arizona test dust (ATD). The selected particle diameters are 100 nm, 200 nm, 400 nm and 800 nm. Relative humidities with respect to ice (RHi) required to activate 1% of the dust particles as ice nuclei (IN) are reported as a function of temperature. An explicit size dependence of the ice formation efficiency has been observed for all dust types. Deposition nucleation was found only below −30°C or −35°C dependent on particle size. 800 nm particles required the lowest RHi to activate. Minimum RHi for 1% activation were 105% for illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite at −40°C, respectively 110% for ATD at −45°C. In addition, a possible parameterisation for the measured activation spectra is proposed, which could be used in modeling studies.

scholarly journals Small Ice Particles at Slightly Supercooled Temperatures in Tropical Maritime Convection

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Lloyd ◽  
Thomas Choularton ◽  
Keith Bower ◽  
Jonathan Crosier ◽  
Martin Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Cumulus Clouds ◽  
Desert Dust ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Small Crystals ◽  
Vapour Diffusion ◽  
Very High

Abstract. In this paper we show that the origin of the ice phase in tropical cumulus clouds over the sea may occur by primary ice nucleation of small crystals at temperatures just between 0 and −5 °C. This was made possible through use of a holographic instrument able to image cloud particles at very high resolution and small size (6 µm). The environment in which the observations were conducted was notable for the presence of desert dust advected over the ocean from the Sahara. However, there is no laboratory evidence to suggest that these dust particles can act as ice nuclei at temperatures warmer than about −10 °C, the zone in which the first ice was observed in these clouds. The small ice particles were observed to grow rapidly by vapour diffusion, riming, and possibly through collisions with supercooled raindrops, causing these to freeze and potentially shatter. This in turn leads to the further production of secondary ice in these clouds. Hence, although the numbers of primary ice particles are small, they are very effective in initiating the rapid glaciation of the cloud, altering the dynamics and precipitation production processes.

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