Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Antarctic meteorology: dynamics, turbulence and radiation  (AMDTR)

Outline
The objective of the project is to obtain a better understanding on several atmospheric processes in Antarctica, with range from large-scale advection to mesoscale circulation and atmospheric boundary layer turbulence. In particular, through analyses of the available data we try to understand some of the main climatic feedbacks (ice/albedo, cloud/albedo). Then, we focus on the description of these processes in numerical atmospheric models. We expect to obtain improved model parameterizations and to apply the results in operational ad climate models. We will concentrate on four main studies: (1) the effect of lateral advection of heat and moisture on surface synoptic conditions over the Antarctic continent, (2) the effects of clouds and warm-air advection on the surface energy balance, snow melting and snow albedo, (3) the turbulent mixing and flux-profile relationships in a stable boundary layer, (4) modeling of mesoscale dynamic of the Antarctic atmosphere In study 1, a statistical approach is used to relate the heat advection, calculated from ECMWF ERA40 reanalyses, to synoptic observations from manned stations. Atmospheric moisture budget is analysed over the Antarctica and Southern Ocean. In study 2, we examine the cloud radiative forcing on the surface radiation budget through modeling studies and by developing semi-empirical parameterizations based on data analysis. We examine several cases with different cloud types, and we study the cloud effect on surface temperature, snow melting and turbulent fluxes under various conditions of air advection and surface albedo. In study 3 we will have observational and modelling approaches. We will gather new data on SBL over melting snow and ice and we will study the applicability of stable boundary layer parameterization schemes in numerical models. Concerning study 4, we apply two models: the Polar version of MM5 and the two-dimensional mesoscale model of the University of Helsinki, coupled with a thermodynamic sea-ice model. We will focus on (a) ABL over the marginal ice zone (MIZ), (b) low-level jets (LLJs), and (c) mesoscale dynamics in the coastal zone. We will seek co-operation with the Ohio State University, where the group of Prof. David Bromwich is running MM5 operationally for the Antarctic.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1) Improved understanding of air-land interaction 2) Improved understanding of atmospheric boundary layer processes and representation of these in weather prediction and climate models. 3) Improved understanding of the complex ice/albedo and cloud/albedo feedbacks in the contest of changing climate. 4) Assessment of the quality of reanalyses products in the polar regions 5) Measurements to develop, test and refine coupled models 6) Improved understanding of the link between circumpolar circulation, heat and humidity transport and regional climate in different areas of the continent.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
University of Utrecht, The Netherlands: field expedition in 2007, analyses on snow surface energy budget and surface-layer meteorology University of Cambridge, U.K.: atmospheric boundary layer over the Weddell Sea Texas A&M University, USA: Surface exchange processes in the Antarctic sea ice zone Swedish Institute of Space Physics: atmospheric temperature profiles, field expedition in 2007-2008. Ohio State University, USA: mesoscale meteorological modelling

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Aboa (Finland), 73° 03'S, 13° 25'W, 500 m asl.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/06 – 01/07      11/07 – 01/08      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The significant logistic support includes aircraft transportations to the Finnish research station Aboa in the Queen Maud Land, and facilities provided by the station. The logistic support will be provided by the Finnish Antarctic Research Prorgamme (FINNARP) and the DROMLAN aviation network. The support will be shared with other projects active in the Queen Maud Land.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency

All necessary logistical support is confirmed.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - Finnish Antarctic research is funded primarily by the Academy of Finland. Our project has received funding from the Academy of Finland for the period 2002-2008.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

Our activity over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe is a component of a longer project funded for the period 2002-2008.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Three institutes participate in the project: University of Helsinki, Finnish Meteorological Institute and Finnish Institute of Marine Research. The project leader is Professor Hannu Savijärvi, University of Helsinki. There are 6-7 people directly involved in the project, and no heavy management structures are therefore needed.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Two Masters Theses have been completed in the project, and two PhD theses are under work. The project results are communicated to general public via seminars and media appearances.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Metadata information from the 2007 expedition has been delivered to the Antarctic Master Directory maintained by NASA, and this will be done for the 2007-2008 expedition as well. The data are archived in the institutes participating in the project.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding is guaranteed for 2002-2008 by a national funding agency (Academy of Finland).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Hannu Savijärvi
University of Helsinki
Department of Physical Sciences, Division of Atmospheric Sciences
P.O. Box 64, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2a
00014
Finland

Tel: +358 9 1915 0857
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation