Impacts of Atmospheric Rivers in Central Greenland: Snowfall, Clouds, and Atmospheric State | CU Experts

Abstract; Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are long bands of strong horizontal water vapor transport responsible for over 90% of total integrated vapor transport (IVT) in extratropical and polar regions. Using a 12‐year record (2010–2022) of ground‐based remote sensing, radiosonde, snow stake, and reanalysis data from Summit Station, Greenland, we quantify the impacts of 41 AR events on snowfall, clouds, and the atmospheric state. Although ARs occur 0.97% of all times and 2.68% of snowing times, they contribute 5.8% to total snowfall, enhance snowfall rates by 80%, and double daily snowfall accumulation relative to general snowing conditions. AR events increase near‐surface and atmospheric profile temperatures by over 7°C up to 350 hPa and increase specific humidity by 66%, deepen clouds and increase radar reflectivity. While ARs contribute only a modest fraction to total accumulation in central Greenland, they consistently produce clouds and snowfall and create an environment that enables enhanced snow particle growth processes typically not observed in an area characterized by cold, dry conditions.

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