Habit-Dependent Vapor Growth Modulates Arctic Supercooled Water Occurrence

We present an analysis of long-term data collected at Utqiagvik, Alaska, to explore the impacts of cloud processes on the probability of finding supercooled water given cloud temperature, P(L vertical bar T), in the topmost unseeded liquid-bearing layers. P(L vertical bar T) has local minima at temperatures around -6 degrees C and -15 degrees C. Simulations using habit-evolving ice microphysics models suggest that these minima are the result of efficient vapor growth by non-isometric habits found at these temperatures. We conclude that habit-dependent vapor growth of ice crystals modulates the macrophysical occurrence of supercooled water in polar clouds, the effect of which should be included in model parametrizations to avoid biases and/or error compensation. Our methodology is adaptable for spherical ice treatments implemented in models (example parametrizations provided), amenable for use with satellite measurements to give global impartial observational targets for model evaluations, and may allow empirical characterization of bulk responses to seeding and possibly secondary ice effects.

Automated summary

The study found that habit-dependent vapor growth of ice crystals modulates the macrophysical occurrence of supercooled water in polar clouds. The results suggest that this effect should be included in model parameterizations to avoid biases and error compensation. The methodology used in the study is adaptable for spherical ice treatments implemented in models and can be used with satellite measurements to provide global impartial observational targets for model evaluations.