The primary objective of this study is to investigate the correspondence between measurements of ice nucleating aerosol particles (or ice nuclei, IN) and the formation of ice crystals in clouds. Flights are being made in wave clouds along the Colorado-Wyoming front range. The clouds of interest will cover a temperature range of about -10 to -40°C. The studies involve measuring the aerosol properties upwind, within and downwind of the clouds and observing the formation of ice crystals and cloud droplets within the clouds.
Wave clouds (altocumulus lenticularis) provide unique advantages for performing these experiments. The principle observations use cloud physics and aerosol instrumentation on the Wyoming King Air and ice nuclei instrumentation from CSU, mounted in the King Air.
Primary measurements for this study include thermodynamics, kinematics, position keeping, water and ice cloud particles, and aerosol particles (ice nuclei and CCN). Non-standard instruments on the K/A include the Wyoming CCN counter, two PMS probes (FSSP-100 and FSSP-300), CSU ice nuclei and CN equipment, and a crystal collector from NCAR.
The base of operations is at the King Air hangar in Laramie, Wyoming. Work space and electrical power are available at the hangar to support the investigators' instrumentation. Work space for setting up computers is provided, and Internet connections are available.
Piggy-back experiments by other investigators are being explored. If you are interested in participating with a piggy-back experiment, please talk to one of the project investigators. (Contacts)
Back to Wave Cloud Project - March 2000