Understanding the History of Two Complex Ice Crystal Habits Deduced From a Holographic Imager
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. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000593743Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Geophysical Research LettersVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
American Geophysical UnionOrganisational unit
03690 - Lohmann, Ulrike / Lohmann, Ulrike
02240 - Center for Climate Systems Modeling / Center for Climate Systems Modeling
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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