Statistical analysis of observations of polar stratospheric clouds with a lidar in Kiruna, northern Sweden
<p>In the present paper, we analyse 11 years of lidar measurements to derive general characteristics of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) and to examine how mountain lee waves influence PSC properties. Measurements of PSCs were made with a backscatter lidar located in Kiruna, northern Sweden,...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2023-05-01
|
| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/23/5551/2023/acp-23-5551-2023.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>In the present paper, we analyse 11 years of lidar measurements to
derive general characteristics of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs)
and to examine how mountain lee waves influence PSC properties.
Measurements of PSCs were made with a backscatter lidar located in
Kiruna, northern Sweden, in the lee of the Scandinavian mountain
range. The statistical analysis demonstrates that nearly half of all
observed PSCs consisted of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles,
while ice clouds accounted for only a small fraction, and the
remainder consisted of supercooled ternary solution (STS) and
mixtures of different compositions. Most PSCs were observed around
22 km altitude. Mountain lee
waves provide a distinct influence on PSC chemical composition and
cloud height distribution. Ice PSCs were about 5 times as frequent,
and NAT clouds were about half as frequent under wave conditions.
PSCs were on average at 2 km higher altitudes when under the
influence of mountain lee waves.</p> |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |