Project Details
Projekt
Gravity-waves impact on ice clouds in the tropopause region (GW-ICE)
Subject Area
Atmospheric Science
Term
from 2014 to 2024
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 218499286
Gravity waves constitute an important component of the atmosphere system. They influence the vertical momentum and energy transport and thus contribute crucially to circulations in the atmosphere. Gravity waves are excited mostly in the troposphere and propagate through the tropopause region into the higher atmosphere. During the propagation their properties might be changed. Additionally, gravity waves induce high vertical velocities and therefore influence the formation and evolution of ice clouds in the tropopause region. In this project the interaction between gravity waves and ice clouds will be investigated. For this purpose we will use the WKB model, which was developed in the first phase of MS-GWaves. This model will be extended by ice cloud physics and further will be used for the investigation of interactions of gravity waves and ice clouds. Additionally, gravity wave-induced ice clouds will be simulated using a large eddy simulation (LES) model. Possible feedbacks of ice clouds to tropopause dynamics by diabatic effects will also be investigated. The radiative effect of simualted ice clouds (WKB or LES model) will be investigated using a radiative transfer model. Thus, we will be able to estimate the impact of gravity waves on ice clouds and their radiative forcing. We will also estimate feedbacks of ice clouds to tropopause dynamics and will give a better estimate of the radiative forcing of gravity wave-induced ice clouds.
DFG Programme
Research Units
