Case studies of different types of precipitation at Ny-Ålesund, Arctic

Abstract

Arctic precipitation plays a crucial role in shaping the surface mass balance of Arctic sea ice and has wide-ranging impacts on local climate, ecosystems, and global sea level dynamics. With the Arctic undergoing warming trends, historical data and climate models indicate a shift from primarily snowfall to a rise in liquid and mixed forms of precipitation. This study tried to explain the microphysical characteristics and atmospheric conditions associated with different forms of precipitation and their transitions. The phase changes were explained by the vertical precipitation profiles over Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard ([Formula: see text] 55' N, [Formula: see text] 56' E), observed using a Micro Rain Radar (MRR) and vertical atmospheric profiles using the ground-based microwave radiometer (MWR). Atmospheric conditions were also analysed based on ERA5 reanalysis data at different pressure levels. For the cases studied here, it was found that the southerly warm-moist air mass plays a crucial role in the change of precipitation phase and intensity. Warm and moist winds at ∼ 2-3 km altitude facilitated high temperature and moisture that helped snow to melt in liquid, resulted in rainfall over the location. Additionally, hourly winds from ERA5 reanalysis indicated upward wind motion was responsible for the formation of graupel. The insight gained from this study will be useful to predict the further precipitation trend over the Arctic more accurately. © 2025. The Author(s).