Understanding the History of Two Complex Ice Crystal Habits Deduced From a Holographic Imager


Date

2023-01-16

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

The sizes and shapes of ice crystals influence the radiative properties of clouds, as well as precipitation initiation and aerosol scavenging. However, ice crystal growth mechanisms remain only partially characterized. We present the growth processes of two complex ice crystal habits observed in Arctic mixed-phase clouds during the Ny-Ålesund AeroSol Cloud ExperimeNT campaign. First, are capped-columns with multiple columns growing out of the plates' corners that we define as columns on capped-columns. These ice crystals originated from cycling through the columnar and plate temperature growth regimes, during their vertical transport by in-cloud circulation. Second, is aged rime on the surface of ice crystals having grown into faceted columns or plates depending on the environmental conditions. Despite their complexity, the shapes of these ice crystals allow to infer their growth history and provide information about the in-cloud conditions. Additionally, these ice crystals exhibit complex shapes and could enhance aggregation and secondary ice production.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

50 (1)

Pages / Article No.

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Organisational unit

03690 - Lohmann, Ulrike / Lohmann, Ulrike check_circle
02240 - Center for Climate Systems Modeling / Center for Climate Systems Modeling check_circle

Notes

Funding

821205 - LC-CLA-08-2018 | RIA | Constrained aerosol forcing for improved climate projections (EC)
175824 - Exploiting orographic clouds for constraining the sources of ice crystals (SNF)

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