How do higher waves cause more ice clouds? Research expedition into
arctic sea explains
Scientists explain the peculiar interplay that exists between sea-ice
decline, wave height, and ice cloud formation over the Arctic

Date:
September 17, 2021
Source:
Research Organization of Information and Systems
Summary:
Global warming is causing a rapid decline in sea-ice area, which
affects weather patterns and, surprisingly, increases wave height
in the Arctic.

In a new study, Japanese scientists analyzed data from a 2018
research expedition into Chukchi Sea to demonstrate the peculiar
link that exists between sea spray induced by high waves and the
formation of ice- containing clouds. Their results pave the way
for more accurate climate change and sea-ice models.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
Some of the most well-known and feared aspects of climate change are
its potential effects on weather patterns and how this could accelerate
the melting of natural ice. Research has already proved that the area
of sea-ice in the Arctic is rapidly declining due to global warming,
and that temperature and moisture content across the Arctic have changed substantially. Unfortunately, understanding exactly how these changes
affect cloud formation in the region is very challenging, and cloud
composition and phase are important aspects to consider in predictive
numerical models.


==========================================================================
In a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters, a team
of scientists led by Dr. Jun Inoue of the National Institute of Polar
Research, Japan, sought to answer a peculiar question: can higher
waves in the Arctic Sea promote the development of ice-containing
clouds? This question may seem strange at first, because most people
would not have fathomed that a link could exist between those two natural phenomena. However, as the findings of this study indicate, it's likely
that there is one.

The field data used in the study was gathered in November 2018 during
an expedition to the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic region aboard RV Mirai,
a Japanese research vessel. Previous studies in the area had revealed
that the sea-ice decline in the Arctic led to more frequent active
weather systems, stronger winds, and taller waves. The research team
suspected that these factors could affect cloud formation and composition because crashing waves and strong winds can cause organic particles
on the sea surface to become dispersed through the atmosphere in the
form of sea spray. Once these suspended organic particles reach an
altitude high enough, they act as "seeds" that facilitate the formation
of ice crystals, earning them the name of "ice-nucleating particles"
(INPs). These ice crystals keep growing by freezing the surrounding
water droplets, thereby forming what's known as ice clouds.

To prove this hypothesis, Dr. Inoue and his crew on the RV Mirai
periodically deployed various measurement instruments at key locations in
the Chukchi Sea over the course of 12 days. Cloud particle sensors were balloon-launched from the ship to analyze the phase of clouds, ambient
aerosols were regularly sampled on board for chemical analysis, and
wave height and wind speed measurements were constantly made. Moreover,
the researchers conducted turbidity measurements from different depths
to clarify the relationship between weather and oceanic conditions.

After analyzing all the gathered data, the scientists managed to paint
a clearer, evidence-supported view of the situation. "Chukchi Sea is
relatively shallow, with a mean depth of only 40 meters. There, a mixed
ocean layers develops and taps into the seafloor, which cloud provide a reservoir of INPs that get lifted by turbulent kinetic energy,"explains
Dr. Inoue,"Sea spray induced by strong winds and high waves brings these
INPs to the atmosphere, promoting the formation of ice clouds." He adds
that this is one of the first papers to simultaneously link oceanic
structure, sea surface conditions, and aerosol and cloud characteristics.

The insight gained from this study is very important if we are to
accurately predict the effects of global warming on the Arctic. Ice
clouds reflect much less shortwave solar radiation than water clouds,
and thus the phase of clouds greatly affects the surface heat budget
of the polar regions. They may also increase the amount of snowfall,
which in turn positively affects sea-ice formation. "Understanding the relationship between cloud formation and the new sea state originating
from the recent Arctic sea-ice decline is critical for skillful weather
and sea-ice forecasts, as well as future climate projections," highlights
Dr. Inoue. Let us hope further studies in the Arctic allow us to elucidate
all the fine details and hidden interactions that dictate the weather
so that the consequences of climate change don't catch us off-guard.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Research_Organization_of_Information_and_Systems. Note: Content may be
edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jun Inoue, Yutaka Tobo, Fumikazu Taketani, Kazutoshi Sato. Oceanic
Supply
of Ice‐Nucleating Particles and Its Effect on Ice Cloud
Formation: A Case Study in the Arctic Ocean During a Cold‐Air
Outbreak in Early Winter. Geophysical Research Letters, 2021; 48
(16) DOI: 10.1029/ 2021GL094646 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917090422.htm

--- up 2 weeks, 1 day, 8 hours, 25 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)