A recent study focusing on the movement of air masses in the Arctic has shed more light on climate change. Researchers on the HALO (AC)³ project have successfully measured the warming and cooling of air masses as they move in and out of the Arctic, providing valuable data to improve in weather patterns and forecasts. The Arctic is a unique climate region where special conditions, such as high solar reflection from snow and low sunlight, exacerbate the effects of global warming. However, accurate modeling of climate processes in this region remains a challenge for researchers. To solve this problem, researchers from the University of Leipzig, together with colleagues from other institutions, have carried out a comprehensive study as part of the project HALO (AC)³. The aim of the research is to increase our understanding of Arctic warming – a phenomenon that warms the Arctic over the global average – and to improve the reliability of climate models in predicting significant warming in the Arctic.
The HALO (AC)³ space program, launched in mid-March 2022, focused on studying air mass changes in the Arctic region. The campaign was conducted over the Norwegian and Greenland Seas, the Fram Strait and the Arctic Ocean in March and April 2022. Using a new observation strategy, researchers were able to track and measure the air changes twice on their vehicles. that is. . With this unique approach they were able for the first time to provide accurate measurements of the heating and cooling processes of transportable air masses. The survey used three separate aircraft – two low-flying aircraft and one high-altitude, long-range research aircraft – that flew in close proximity. This setup allows researchers to observe air mass changes over the open ocean, sea ice, and Arctic sea ice. According to Professor Manfred Wendisch, the director of the Institute of Meteorology at the University of Leipzig and the main author of the study, they were able to see significant changes in the temperature and humidity of the air in the when the various winds are moving. For example, cold air coming south from the Arctic warms up to three degrees Celsius per hour as it moves from the sea ice to the open ocean. In addition to moving south, humidity increases. The researchers also examined how cloud conditions change as air masses move, adding another layer of complexity to understanding the Arctic climate system. The uncollected data from these observations is being compared to the German Weather Forecast Model’s calculations to validate and refine the weather models. This ground-breaking study shows how climate change is occurring in the Arctic and helps scientists build better models to predict future changes in this critical region. much. These findings were published in a paper from the European Geosciences Union.