Using a region-specific ice-nucleating particle parameterization improves the representation of Arctic clouds in a global climate model

Abstract

Abstract. Projections of global climate change and Arctic amplification are sensitive to the representation of low-level cloud phase in climate models. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are necessary for primary cloud ice formation at temperatures above approximately -38 °C, and thus significantly affect cloud phase and cloud radiative effect. Due to their complex and insufficiently understood variability, INPs constitute an important modelling challenge, especially in remote regions with few observations, such as the Arctic. In this study, INP observations were carried out at Andenes, Norway in March 2021. These observations were used as a basis for an Arctic-specific and purely temperature-dependent INP parameterization, and implemented into the Norwegian Earth System Model. This implementation results in an annual average increase in cloud liquid water path (CLWP) of 70 % for the Arctic, and improves the representation of cloud phase compared to satellite observations. The change in CLWP in boreal autumn and winter is found to likely be the dominant contributor to the annual average increase in net surface cloud radiative effect of 2 W m^-2. This large surface flux increase brings the simulation into better agreement with Arctic ground-based measurements. Despite that the model cannot respond fully to the INP parameterization change due to fixed sea surface temperatures, Arctic surface air temperature increases with 0.7 °C in boreal autumn. These findings indicate that INPs could have a significant impact on Arctic climate, and that a region-specific INP parameterization can be a useful tool to improve cloud representation in the Arctic region.