Observation of Wintertime Clouds and Precipitation in the Arctic Canada (POLEX-North)

[摘要] Wintertime snow clouds were observed by a vertically pointing radar of 8.6mm in wavelength from Nov. 1979 to Jan. 1980 at Inuvik in the Arctic Canada. In most cases the level of the radar-echo top was nearly equal to or lower than that of the cloud top. Less frequently, however, it was higher than 4500m in altitude independently of the cloud top level. Air temperature was always higher than -40°C at the level of the radar-echo top. The radar-echo intensity near the ground surface tended to increase with an increase in the level of the radar-echo top. Typical types of snow crystals were the crossed plates, the bullet and the column. The type predominant over others in occurrence varied with the radar-echo intensity near the ground surface and the level of the radar-echo top. This predominance was discussed by taking into account a difference in the vertical profile of air temperature in cloud layers.

[学科分类] 大气科学