Figure. This schematic highlights the important processes coupling dynamics, chemistry, and cloud microphysics in the UTLS region. The green line denotes the time average tropopause. The gray line illustrates synoptic scale processes that contribute to stratosphere-troposphere two-way exchange, such as frontal lifting, tropopause folds, and intrusions. In addition, convection brings near-surface pollutants into the upper troposphere, strongly influencing global-scale chemistry. Major transport pathways are indicated by bold arrows. The yellow arrow indicates the dynamical coupling of the tropical UT and extratropical LS by large-scale wave activities. The blue arrow shows the stratospheric intrusions into troposphere near the jet streams. The red arrow represents the upward transport by frontal lifting along the warm conveyor belts. The white cloud represents the convective transport. In addition, large scale stratospheric circulation contributes to the downward transport. (Click for larger image.)
Stratosphere-Troposphere Analyses of Regional Transport (START08) is scheduled for Spring 2008 to study the chemical and transport characteristics of the extratropical upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric (ExUTLS) region using the NSF/NCAR HIAPER aircraft. In the ExUTLS, multi-scale dynamics, coupled with chemistry, controls and redistributes a suite of radiatively important trace species, including ozone, water vapor, and CO2 in addition to aerosols and particles. Results from this study will lead to improved representation and prediction by global chemistry-climate models of the coupling between dynamics and chemistry under the current and projected climate regimes.
To characterize the contribution of transport to the chemical-microphysical structure of the ExUTLS region.
This general objective will be pursued by designing flight plans targeting several identified transport processes/pathways followed by analyses combining in-situ observations with satellite data, and regional and global model simulations.
Focus areas and related questions:
START08 will have a joint payload and flight operation with the Pre-HIPPO experiment. The field campaign will use the NSF/NCAR HIAPER aircraft, operated from Boulder Colorado, during April 21-May 16, and June 16-28, 2008.
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Webmaster is Carl Drews; e-mail to my last name at ucar dot edu.