Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #152:The Greenland Flow Distortion Experiment  (GFDex)

Outline
As a result of its high topography and ice-covered surface, Greenland plays an important role in the atmospheric circulation of the Northern Hemisphere. Most importantly, it dictates the location and strength of mesoscale weather systems around its coastal seas and influences synoptic-scale weather systems both locally and downstream over Europe, Asia and North America. High winds that result from the distortion of atmospheric flow by Greenland can induce large air-sea fluxes of heat, moisture and momentum in a region in which the import and modification of Arctic water into the subpolar North Atlantic ocean plays an important role in the global thermohaline circulation. This project will investigate the role of Greenland in defining the structure and the predictability of both local and downstream weather systems, through a program of aircraft, surface and oceanographic observations and numerical modeling. The Greenland Flow Distortion Experiment (GFDex) will provide some of the first detailed in situ observations of the intense atmospheric forcing events that are thought to be important in modifying the ocean in this area: namely tip jets, reverse tip jets, barrier winds and mesoscale cyclones. It will also investigate Greenland’s impact on the predictability of large scale atmospheric flow by carrying out observations that are “targeted” at improving subsequent weather forecasts over Europe. Numerical modeling case studies of the high-impact weather systems will be validated using the observations, thus increasing our understanding of these systems and providing accurate fields of air-sea heat and moisture fluxes for use in oceanographic studies. Further numerical modeling will be used to assess any improvements in predictability from the additional observations. The field experiment is scheduled for the winter (January-March) of 2007 with pre-experiment planning and research to be undertaken in 2006 and post-experiment analysis in 2007/2008.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The Greenland Flow Distortion Experiment seeks to further our understanding of the atmospheric flow in the vicinity of Greenland and the impact that this flow has on the larger scale atmospheric flow. It therefore falls into the IPY theme areas of ‘Status’ and ‘Global Linkages’. It will also provide the first measurements of important atmospheric phenomena in the Greenland area that have both weather and climate impacts. The unique interaction that the project will provide between meteorologists and oceanographers will allow us to also document for the first time the important interactions that occur between the ocean and the atmosphere in the vicinity of Greenland. For these reasons, it has relevance to the ‘New Frontiers’ theme area as well.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
GFDex is a major international initiative involving scientists from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
GFDex will focus its activities in the oceanic areas surrounding southern Greenland.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/07 – 03/07            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
GFDex is a major international initiative involving major infrastructure and logistical requirements. The two aircraft that will be involved (UK and Germany) will be maintained at the forward base of Keflavik Iceland by the respective national organizations that own and operate them. The oceanographic moorings and meteorological buoys will be deployed by a research vessel from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution during planned cruises in the region.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The results of this project will be of interest to the weather research and prediction community and scientists within the climate prediction and climate policy community. Improved understanding and knowledge of high-impact weather systems around Greenland will be of interest to scientists with an interest in the thermohaline circulation. The experiment will leave as its legacy a cadre of young, mid-career and senior scientists who have expertise in the complex interactions that occur between the high latitude atmosphere and ocean.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). On-going discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Theme: Environmental Prediction

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

GFDex is a new program established in conjunction with the THORPEX initiative of the WMO.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The international PIs have collectively formed an oversight committee that had its first meeting in June 2004. The committee will meet on an increasingly frequent schedule as funding is secured and the date of the field work approaches.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Graduate students and pdfs involved in the project will gain considerable expertise in the study of high latitude weather systems. We propose to engage the local population in southern Greenland in a dialogue regarding their experience with high impact weather. Professional outreach and communication will be provided through the international THORPEX program as well as through the publication and presentation of scientific papers.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Individual PIs will be responsible for providing access to the data from their instruments. The most significant datasets will be the aircraft data and access to this data will be provided by the British Atmospheric Data Center.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The international collaborators have or are in the process of applying for funds to support their components of the project. The Canadian PI will be applying to CFCAS and/or NSERC to support his participation in the project. Ongoing expenses (assuming a three year project) are $65,000 per year. One-time only expenses related to field work are $65,000.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  G.W.K. Moore
University of Toronto
60 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1A7
Canada

Tel: 416-978-4686
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation