scholarly journals Investigation of Arctic middle-atmospheric dynamics using 3 years of H<sub>2</sub>O and O<sub>3</sub> measurements from microwave radiometers at Ny-Ålesund

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (15) ◽  
pp. 9927-9947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Schranz ◽  
Brigitte Tschanz ◽  
Rolf Rüfenacht ◽  
Klemens Hocke ◽  
Mathias Palm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Mean Meridional Circulation ◽  
Wind Profiles ◽  
Microwave Radiometers

Abstract. We used 3 years of water vapour and ozone measurements to study the dynamics in the Arctic middle atmosphere. We investigated the descent of water vapour within the polar vortex, major and minor sudden stratospheric warmings and periodicities at Ny-Ålesund. The measurements were performed with the two ground-based microwave radiometers MIAWARA-C and GROMOS-C, which have been co-located at the AWIPEV research base at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard (79∘ N, 12∘ E), since September 2015. Both instruments belong to the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). The almost continuous datasets of water vapour and ozone are characterized by a high time resolution of the order of hours. A thorough intercomparison of these datasets with models and measurements from satellite, ground-based and in situ instruments was performed. In the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere the MIAWARA-C water vapour profiles agree within 5 % with SD-WACCM simulations and ACE-FTS measurements on average, whereas AuraMLS measurements show an average offset of 10 %–15 % depending on altitude but constant in time. Stratospheric GROMOS-C ozone profiles are on average within 6 % of the SD-WACCM model, the AuraMLS and ACE-FTS satellite instruments and the OZORAM ground-based microwave radiometer which is also located at Ny-Ålesund. During these first 3 years of the measurement campaign typical phenomena of the Arctic middle atmosphere took place, and we analysed their signatures in the water vapour and ozone measurements. Two major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) took place in March 2016 and February 2018 and three minor warmings were observed in early 2017. Ozone-rich air was brought to the pole and during the major warmings ozone enhancements of up to 4 ppm were observed. The reversals of the zonal wind accompanying a major SSW were captured in the GROMOS-C wind profiles which are retrieved from the ozone spectra. After the SSW in February 2018 the polar vortex re-established and the water vapour descent rate in the mesosphere was 355 m d−1. Inside of the polar vortex in autumn we found the descent rate of mesospheric water vapour from MIAWARA-C to be 435 m d−1 on average. We find that the water vapour descent rate from SD-WACCM and the vertical velocity w‾* of the residual mean meridional circulation from SD-WACCM are substantially higher than the descent rates of MIAWARA-C. w‾* and the zonal mean water vapour descent rate from SD-WACCM agree within 10 % after the SSW, whereas in autumn w‾* is up to 40 % higher. We further present an overview of the periodicities in the water vapour and ozone measurements and analysed seasonal and interannual differences.

scholarly journals Investigation of Arctic middle-atmospheric dynamics using 3 years of H<sub>2</sub>O and O<sub>3</sub> measurements from microwave radiometers at Ny-Ålesund

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Schranz ◽  
Brigitte Tschanz ◽  
Rolf Rüfenacht ◽  
Klemens Hocke ◽  
Mathias Palm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Middle Atmospheric Dynamics ◽  
Wind Profiles ◽  
Microwave Radiometers

Abstract. We use 3 years of water vapour and ozone measurements to analyse dynamical events in the polar middle atmosphere such as sudden stratospheric warmings (SSW), polar vortex shifts, water vapour descent rates and periodicities. The measurements were performed with the two ground-based microwave radiometers MIAWARA-C and GROMOS-C which are co-located at the AWIPEV research base at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard (79° N, 12° E) since September 2015. The almost continuous datasets of water vapour and ozone are characterised by a high time resolution in the order of hours. A thorough intercomparison of these datasets with models and measurements from satellite, ground-based and in-situ instruments was performed. In the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere the MIAWARA-C profiles agree within 5 % with SD-WACCM simulations and ACE-FTS measurements whereas AuraMLS measurements show an average offset of 10–15 % depending on altitude but constant in time. Stratospheric GROMOS-C profiles are within 5 % of the satellite instruments AuraMLS and ACE-FTS and the ground-based microwave radiometer OZORAM which is also located at Ny-Ålesund. During these first three years of the measurement campaign typical phenomena of the Arctic middle atmosphere took place and we analysed their signatures in the water vapour and ozone datasets. Inside of the polar vortex in autumn we found the descent rate of mesospheric water vapour to be 435 m/day on average. In early 2017 distinct increases in mesospheric water vapour of about 2 ppm were observed when the polar vortex was displaced and midlatitude air was brought to Ny-Ålesund. Two major sudden stratospheric warmings took place in March 2016 and February 2018 where ozone enhancements of up to 4 ppm were observed. The zonal wind reversals accompanying a major SSW were captured in the GROMOS-C wind profiles which are retrieved from the ozone spectra. After the SSW in February 2018 the polar vortex re-established and the water vapour descent rate in the mesosphere was 355 m/day. In the water vapour and ozone time series signatures of atmospheric waves with periods close to 2, 5, 10 and 16 days were found.

scholarly journals Middle atmospheric water vapour and dynamics in the vicinity of the polar vortex during the Hygrosonde-2 campaign

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 4407-4417 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lossow ◽  
M. Khaplanov ◽  
J. Gumbel ◽  
J. Stegman ◽  
G. Witt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Water Vapour Concentration ◽  
Wind Shears

Abstract. The Hygrosonde-2 campaign took place on 16 December 2001 at Esrange/Sweden (68° N, 21° E) with the aim to investigate the small scale distribution of water vapour in the middle atmosphere in the vicinity of the Arctic polar vortex. In situ balloon and rocket-borne measurements of water vapour were performed by means of OH fluorescence hygrometry. The combined measurements yielded a high resolution water vapour profile up to an altitude of 75 km. Using the characteristic of water vapour being a dynamical tracer it was possible to directly relate the water vapour data to the location of the polar vortex edge, which separates air masses of different character inside and outside the polar vortex. The measurements probed extra-vortex air in the altitude range between 45 km and 60 km and vortex air elsewhere. Transitions between vortex and extra-vortex usually coincided with wind shears caused by gravity waves which advect air masses with different water vapour volume mixing ratios. From the combination of the results from the Hygrosonde-2 campaign and the first flight of the optical hygrometer in 1994 (Hygrosonde-1) a clear picture of the characteristic water vapour distribution inside and outside the polar vortex can be drawn. Systematic differences in the water vapour concentration between the inside and outside of the polar vortex can be observed all the way up into the mesosphere. It is also evident that in situ measurements with high spatial resolution are needed to fully account for the small-scale exchange processes in the polar winter middle atmosphere.

scholarly journals Unusually strong nitric oxide descent in the Arctic middle atmosphere in early 2013 as observed by Odin/SMR

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 3563-3581
Author(s):  
K. Pérot ◽  
J. Urban ◽  
D. P. Murtagh
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The Reformation ◽  
Polar Stratosphere ◽  
Energetic Particle Precipitation

Abstract. The middle atmosphere has been affected by an exceptionally strong midwinter stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) during the Arctic winter 2012/2013. These unusual meteorological conditions led to a breakdown of the polar vortex, followed by the reformation of a strong upper stratospheric vortex associated with particularly efficient descent of air. Measurements by the Sub-Millimetre Radiometer (SMR), on board the Odin satellite, show that very large amounts of nitric oxide (NO), produced by Energetic Particle Precipitation (EPP) in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT), could thus enter the polar stratosphere in early 2013. The mechanism referring to the downward transport of EPP generated-NOx during winter is generally called the EPP indirect effect. SMR observed up to 20 times more NO in the upper stratosphere than the average NO measured at the same latitude, pressure and time during three previous winters where no mixing between mesospheric and stratospheric air was noticeable. This event turned out to be an unprecedently strong case of this effect. Our study is based on a comparison with the Arctic winter 2008/2009, when a similar situation was observed and which was so far considered as a record-breaking winter for this kind of events. This outstanding situation is the result of the combination between a relatively high geomagnetic activity and an unusually high dynamical activity, which makes this case a prime example to study the EPP impacts on the atmospheric composition.

scholarly journals Observation of an unusual mid-stratospheric aerosol layer in the Arctic: possible sources and implications for polar vortex dynamics

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1057-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gerding ◽  
G. Baumgarten ◽  
U. Blum ◽  
J. P. Thayer ◽  
K.-H. Fricke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Water Solution ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Atmospheric Temperature ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Particle Sedimentation ◽  
Composition And Structure

Abstract. By the beginning of winter 2000/2001, a mysterious stratospheric aerosol layer had been detected by four different Arctic lidar stations. The aerosol layer was observed first on 16 November 2000, at an altitude of about 38 km near Søndre Strømfjord, Greenland (67° N, 51° W) and on 19 November 2000, near Andenes, Norway (69°  N, 16°  E). Subsequently, in early December 2000, the aerosol layer was observed near Kiruna, Sweden (68°  N, 21°  E) and Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen (79°  N, 12°  E). No mid-latitude lidar station observed the presence of aerosols in this altitude region. The layer persisted throughout the winter 2000/2001, at least up to 12 February 2001. In November 2000, the backscatter ratio at a wavelength of 532 nm was up to 1.1, with a FWHM of about 2.5 km. By early February 2001, the layer had sedimented from an altitude of 38 km to about 26 km. Measurements at several wavelengths by the ALOMAR and Koldewey lidars indicate the particle size was between 30 and 50 nm. Depolarisation measurements reveal that the particles in the layer are aspherical, hence solid. In the mid-stratosphere, the ambient atmospheric temperature was too high to support in situ formation or existence of cloud particles consisting of ice or an acid-water solution. Furthermore, in the year 2000 there was no volcanic eruption, which could have injected aerosols into the upper stratosphere. Therefore, other origins of the aerosol, such as meteoroid debris, condensed rocket fuel, or aerosols produced under the influence of charged solar particles, will be discussed in the paper. Trajectory calculations illustrate the path of the aerosol cloud within the polar vortex and are used to link the observations at the different lidar sites. From the descent rate of  the layer and particle sedimentation rates, the mean down-ward motion of air within the polar vortex was estimated to be about 124 m/d between 35 and 30 km, with higher values at the edge of the vortex.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (aerosols and particles; middle atmosphere composition and chemistry) – meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics)

scholarly journals Stratospheric background aerosol and polar cloud observations by laser backscattersonde within the framework of the European project "Stratospheric Regular Sounding"

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1352-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Adriani ◽  
F. Cairo ◽  
L. Pulvirenti ◽  
F. Cardillo ◽  
M. Viterbini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Stratospheric Clouds

Abstract. The Stratospheric Regular Sounding project was planned to measure regularly the vertical profiles of several tracers like ozone, water vapor, NOx, ClOx and BrOx radicals, aerosol, pressure and temperature, at three latitudes, to discriminate between the transport and photochemical terms which control their distribution. As part of this project, the "Istituto di Fisica dell'Atmosfera" launched nine laser backscattersondes (LABS) on board stratospheric balloons to make observations of background aerosol and PSCs. LABS was launched with an optical particle counter operated by the University of Wyoming. Observations have been performed in the arctic, mid-latitudes and tropical regions in different seasons. Polar stratospheric clouds have been observed in areas inside and outside the polar vortex edge. A background aerosol was observed both in mid-latitudes and in arctic regions with a backscattering ratio of 1.2 at 692 nm. Very stratified aerosol layers, possibly transported into the lower stratosphere by deep convective systems, have been observed in the lower stratosphere between 20 and 29 km in the tropics in the Southern Hemisphere. Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (aerosols and particles; middle atmosphere – composition and chemistry; instruments and techniques)

scholarly journals GROMOS-C, a novel ground-based microwave radiometer for ozone measurement campaigns

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 2649-2662 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Fernandez ◽  
A. Murk ◽  
N. Kämpfer
Keyword(s):  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Microwave Remote Sensing ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Total Power ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Medium Range Weather Forecast ◽  
Major Interest

Abstract. Stratospheric ozone is of major interest as it absorbs most harmful UV radiation from the sun, allowing life on Earth. Ground-based microwave remote sensing is the only method that allows for the measurement of ozone profiles up to the mesopause, over 24 hours and under different weather conditions with high time resolution. In this paper a novel ground-based microwave radiometer is presented. It is called GROMOS-C (GRound based Ozone MOnitoring System for Campaigns), and it has been designed to measure the vertical profile of ozone distribution in the middle atmosphere by observing ozone emission spectra at a frequency of 110.836 GHz. The instrument is designed in a compact way which makes it transportable and suitable for outdoor use in campaigns, an advantageous feature that is lacking in present day ozone radiometers. It is operated through remote control. GROMOS-C is a total power radiometer which uses a pre-amplified heterodyne receiver, and a digital fast Fourier transform spectrometer for the spectral analysis. Among its main new features, the incorporation of different calibration loads stands out; this includes a noise diode and a new type of blackbody target specifically designed for this instrument, based on Peltier elements. The calibration scheme does not depend on the use of liquid nitrogen; therefore GROMOS-C can be operated at remote places with no maintenance requirements. In addition, the instrument can be switched in frequency to observe the CO line at 115 GHz. A description of the main characteristics of GROMOS-C is included in this paper, as well as the results of a first campaign at the High Altitude Research Station at Jungfraujoch (HFSJ), Switzerland. The validation is performed by comparison of the retrieved profiles against equivalent profiles from MLS (Microwave Limb Sounding) satellite data, ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast) model data, as well as our nearby NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) ozone radiometer measuring at Bern.

scholarly journals Observations of surface radiation and stratospheric processes at Thule Air Base, Greenland, during the IPY

2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Muscari ◽  
Claudia Di Biagio ◽  
Alcide di Sarra ◽  
Marco Cacciani ◽  
Svend Erik Ascanius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Surface Radiation ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Radiation Budget ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
International Polar Year

<p>Ground-based measurements of atmospheric parameters have been carried out for more than 20 years at the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) station at Thule Air Base (76.5°N, 68.8°W), on the north-western coast of Greenland. Various instruments dedicated to the study of the lower and middle polar atmosphere are installed at Thule in the framework of a long standing collaboration among Danish, Italian, and US research institutes and universities. This effort aims at monitoring the composition, structure and dynamics of the polar stratosphere, and at studying the Arctic energy budget and the role played by different factors, such as aerosols, water vapour, and surface albedo. During the International Polar Year (IPY), in winter 2008-2009, an intensive measurement campaign was conducted at Thule within the framework of the IPY project “Ozone layer and UV radiation in a changing climate evaluated during IPY” (ORACLE-O3) which sought to improve our understanding of the complex mechanisms that lead to the Arctic stratospheric O<span><sub>3</sub></span> depletion. The campaign involved a lidar system, measuring aerosol backscatter and depolarization ratios up to 35 km and atmospheric temperature profiles from 25 to 70 km altitude, a ground-based millimeter-wave spectrometer (GBMS) used to derive stratospheric mixing ratio profiles of different chemical species involved in the stratospheric ozone depletion cycle, and then ground-based radiometers and a Cimel sunphotometer to study the Arctic radiative budget at the surface. The observations show that the surface radiation budget is mainly regulated by the longwave component throughout most of the year. Clouds have a significant impact contributing to enhance the role of longwave radiation. Besides clouds, water vapour seasonal changes produce the largest modification in the shortwave component at the surface, followed by changes in surface albedo and in aerosol amounts. For what concerns the middle atmosphere, during the first part of winter 2008-2009 the cold polar vortex allowed for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) which were observed above Thule by means of the lidar. This period was also characterized by GBMS measurements of low values of O<span><sub>3</sub></span> due to the catalytic reactions prompted by the PSCs. In mid-January, as the most intense Sudden Stratospheric Warming event ever observed in the Arctic occurred, GBMS and lidar measurements of O<span><sub>3</sub></span>, N<span><sub>2</sub></span>O, CO and temperature described its evolution as it propagated from the upper atmosphere to the lower stratosphere.</p>

scholarly journals Middle atmosphere water vapour and dynamical features in aircraft measurements and ECMWF analyses

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 247-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Feist ◽  
A. J. Geer ◽  
S. Müller ◽  
N. Kämpfer
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Aircraft Measurements ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Dynamical Features ◽  
Stratospheric Water Vapour

Abstract. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) provides global analyses of atmospheric humidity from the ground to the lower mesosphere. Unlike in the troposphere, in the stratopshere no humidity observations are assimilated. Humidity analyses here are essentially the results of a free-running model constrained by the ECMWF's well-analysed wind fields. So far only the broad-scale features of the resulting stratospheric water vapour distribution have been validated. This study provides the first in-depth comparison of stratospheric humidity from ECMWF with observations from an airborne microwave radiometer that has measured the distribution of stratospheric water vapour over an altitude range of roughly 15–60 km on several flight campaigns since 1998. The aircraft measurements provide a horizontal resolution that cannot be achieved by current satellite instruments. This study examines dynamical features in the moisture fields such as filamentation and the vortex edge, finding that features in the ERA-40 humidity analyses often do correspond to real atmospheric events that are seen in the aircraft measurements. However, the comparisons also show that in general the ECMWF model produces an unrealistically moist mesosphere. As a result it cannot replicate the descent of relatively dry mesospheric air into the polar vortex in winter and spring.

scholarly journals Middle atmospheric water vapour and dynamics in the vicinity of the polar vortex during the Hygrosonde-2 campaign

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 12227-12252 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lossow ◽  
M. Khaplanov ◽  
J. Gumbel ◽  
J. Stegman ◽  
G. Witt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Water Vapour Concentration ◽  
Exchange Processes ◽  
Vapour Concentration ◽  
Wind Shears

Abstract. The Hygrosonde-2 campaign took place on 16 December 2001 at Esrange/Sweden, with the aim to investigate the small scale distribution of water vapour in the middle atmosphere in the vicinity of the Arctic polar vortex. In-situ balloon and rocket-borne measurements of water vapour were performed by means of OH fluorescence hygrometry. The combined measurements yielded a high resolution water vapour profile up to an altitude of 75 km. Using water vapour as a dynamical tracer it was possible to directly relate the water data to the position of the polar vortex. The measurement probed extra-vortex air below 19 km and in the altitude range between 45 km and 60 km and vortex air elsewhere. Transitions between vortex and extra-vortex usually coincided with wind shears caused by gravity waves which advect air masses with different water vapour characteristics. From the combination of the results from the Hygrosonde-2 campaign and the first flight of the optical hygrometer in 1994 (Hygrosonde-1) a clear picture of the characteristic water vapour distribution inside and outside the polar vortex can be drawn. Systematic differences in the water vapour concentration between the inside and outside of the polar vortex can be observed all the way up into the mesosphere and are consistent with efficient downward transport of air inside the vortex. It is evident that in-situ measurements with high spatial resolution are needed to fully account for the small-scale exchange processes in the polar winter middle atmosphere.

scholarly journals Middle atmosphere water vapour and dynamical features in aircraft measurements and ECMWF analyses

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (20) ◽  
pp. 5291-5307 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Feist ◽  
A. J. Geer ◽  
S. Müller ◽  
N. Kämpfer
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Aircraft Measurements ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Dynamical Features ◽  
Stratospheric Water Vapour

Abstract. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) provides global analyses of atmospheric humidity from the ground to the lower mesosphere. Unlike in the troposphere, in the stratosphere no humidity observations are assimilated. Humidity analyses here are essentially the results of a free-running model constrained by the ECMWF's analysed wind fields. So far only the broad-scale features of the resulting stratospheric water vapour distribution have been validated. This study provides the first in-depth comparison of stratospheric humidity from ECMWF with observations from an airborne microwave radiometer that has measured the distribution of stratospheric water vapour over an altitude range of roughly 15–60 km on several flight campaigns since 1998. The aircraft measurements provide a horizontal resolution that cannot be achieved by current satellite instruments. This study examines dynamical features in the moisture fields such as filamentation and the vortex edge, finding that features in the ERA-40 humidity analyses often do correspond to real atmospheric events that are seen in the aircraft measurements. However, the comparisons also show that in general the ECMWF model produces an unrealistically moist mesosphere. As a result it cannot replicate the descent of relatively dry mesospheric air into the polar vortex in winter and spring.

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