ARM Climate Research Facility – Highlights at AMS Annual Meeting

 
Published: 14 January 2010

Scientists from around the world use data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility to study the interactions between clouds, aerosol, and radiation. At this year’s meeting of the American Meteorological Society, scientists present results of their research, using ARM data for long-term analyses, model comparisons, and measurement validation efforts.

Steven GhanEffects of Aerosol on Clouds and Precipitation – Invited Presentation
Tuesday, January 19: 8:30-9:45 am, B315
Dr. Steven Ghan co-chairs this joint session for Aerosol-Cloud-Climate Interactions and Atmospheric Chemistry. Dr. Ghan was a lead scientist for the Indirect and Semi-direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC), held in Alaska in 2008. He opens the session with an invited presentation discussing the influence of Arctic aerosol on clouds from data obtained during ISDAC (J12.1). Additional results based on ARM cloud and aerosol data are also presented in this session:

• Evidence for the Aerosol Indirect Effect in Shallow Cumuli – J12.2, Larry K. Berg, C. Berkowitz, G. Senum, and S. Springston
• Significant Impact of Aerosols on Multi-year Rain Frequency and Cloud Thickness – J12.4, Zhanqing Li and F. Niu

A Learjet research aircraft from Stratton Park Engineering will obtain four months of data from cirrus clouds above Oklahoma.
A Learjet research aircraft from Stratton Park Engineering will obtain four months of data from cirrus clouds above Oklahoma.

Breaking News – Small Particles in Cirrus (SPARTICUS): In early January, scientists began a 4-month campaign using an instrumented Learjet 25 research aircraft to obtain measurements of ice crystals from cirrus clouds over the ARM Southern Great Plains site in Oklahoma. Led by Dr. Gerald Mace from the University of Utah, scientists will use the data from the SPARTICUS campaign to study the role of small ice particles in cirrus, and to evaluate measurements obtained in previous field campaigns.

User Facility Exhibit (#231): The ARM exhibit showcases streaming data from our research sites across the globe and highlights other key features of this scientific user facility. Visit the display to talk with scientists who use the facility for their research or pick up the 2009 Annual Report and other fact sheets to learn about ARM data collections and field campaigns.