Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Atmospheric Gravity Wave-Mesoscale Flow Interaction Over Greenland  (GGWEX)

Outline
Atmospheric internal gravity waves are known from satellite and other data, to be generated by flow over the Greenland ice sheet, particularly in southern Greenland. Further evidence of gravity wave generation and of related flow phenomena comes from previous short term intensive projects such as FASTEX and SOLVE/THESEO 2000. It is also known, from global and regional weather forecast models, that the region of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south-east of Greenland is a region of preferred cyclogenesis or re-intensification of Atlantic cyclones. Disturbances generated immediately in the lee of Greenland have been observed to propagate and influence the weather up to several thousands of km away over Europe. A full understanding of the mesoscale cyclone generation over and in the lee of Greenland requires accurate representation of the stratified flow over the Greenland land mass. This project aims to develop a validated model for flow over the southern part of Greenland (south of 65 deg N) at a scale which resolves the important gravity wave and downslope wind phenomena. Through comparison of dedicated high resolution regional modelling with routing global analysis and forecast data (including satellite data), the role of the mesoscale Greenland flow on lee cyclogenesis and the interaction with existing cyclones and frontal zones will be quantified. The project will have 3 parts: 1. Case study modelling. The UK Universities Weather Research Network (UWERN) microscale model will be run at resolutions down to 1 km for selected localised regions using radiosonde profiles as input, in order to investigate the details of gravity wave and downslope wind generation. The UK Met Office Unified model will be run at very high resolution (4 km or less) over southern Greenland, initialised using routine analysis data, to investigate gravity wave/lee cyclone interaction. Comparisons between the mesoscale modelling and routine analyses/forecasts will be made. 2. Validation of the gravity wave modelling in (1) will be provided by collecting a year long archive of coastal radiosonde data from Greenland. These will be routine radiosonde launches, but unusually the full time/vertical resolution data will be retained, allowing direct observation of gravity waves. 3. Detailed validation of the gravity wave generation processes will be provided by the optional (but highly desirable) deployment of a line of microbarographs (up to 8) across the Greenland ice sheet at 62 deg N for one year.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1. Quantification of the role of orographic flow over southern Greenland in generating atmospheric gravity waves. 2. Identification of the processes by which gravity waves and stratified downslope winds interact with mesoscale weather systems over and to the east of Greenland.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The access to radiosonde data will require international collaboration, as will the logistics of deploying the weather station/microbarograph transect. Furthermore, the modelling aspects of the project would benefit considerably from international intercomparisons. Several collaborations are therefore currently being negotiated.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Existing coastal Greenland radiosonde stations (Narsarsuaq, Egedesminde, Angmassalik). Potential W-E Greenland Icesheet transect at approximately 62 deg N.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/2007 - 07/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
If the W-E weather station/microbarograph transect described in 1.3 is implemented, then helicopter or fixed wind transport aircraft support will be needed in summer 2007 and summer 2008. It is highly likely that this could be coordinated with and share resources with other projects (particularly glaciological work) .

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No. This outline is being sent simultaneously to the UK/NERC Expert Advisory Group charged with developing the UK Science Plan.

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?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
Funding will be requested for the PI to make periodic visits to logistics providers. Funding will be requested for annual workshops for PI and co-Is. Otherwise by email.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Incorporation into outreach programmes of University of Leeds (focused on schools).Dissemination through the UK NERC Centres for Atmospheric Science communications office.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Additional funding to make use of the services of the British Atmospheric Data Centre will be sought.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funding agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Stephen Mobbs
Institute for Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
UK

Tel: +44 (0)113 3435158
Mobile: +44 (0)7889 646739
Fax: +44 (0)113 3436716
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation