Observations of marine cold-air outbreaks: a comprehensive data set of airborne and dropsonde measurements from the Springtime Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment (STABLE)

In March 2013, the Springtime Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment (STABLE) was carried out in the Fram Strait region and over Svalbard to investigate atmospheric convection and boundary layer modifications due to interactions between sea ice, the atmosphere, and open water. A major goal was the observation of marine cold-air outbreaks (MCAOs), which are typically characterised by the transport of very cold air masses from the ice-covered ocean over a relatively warm water surface and which often affect local and regional weather conditions. During STABLE, MCAOs were observed on 4 d within a period displaying a strongly northward-shifted sea ice edge north of Svalbard and, thus, with an unusually large Whaler's Bay polynya. The observations mainly consisted of in situ measurements from airborne instruments and of measurements by dropsondes. Here, we present the corresponding data set from a total of 15 aircraft vertical profiles and 22 dropsonde releases. Besides an overview of the flight patterns and instrumentation, we provide a detailed presentation of the individual quality-processing mechanisms, which ensure that the data can be used, for example, for model validation. Moreover, we discuss the effects of the individual quality-processing mechanisms, and we briefly present the main characteristics of the MCAOs based on the quality-controlled data. All 37 data series are published on the World Data Center PANGAEA (Lupkes et al., 2021a, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.936635).

Automated summary

In March 2013, the Springtime Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment (STABLE) was conducted to investigate the impact of interactions between sea ice, the atmosphere, and open water on atmospheric convection and boundary layer modifications. The study focused on observing marine cold-air outbreaks (MCAOs), particularly during a period of northward-shifted sea ice edge and a large Whaler's Bay polynya north of Svalbard. In situ measurements and dropsonde releases were used to collect data, which were quality-processed and made available for model validation. The study provides insights into the characteristics and effects of MCAOs.