CCA3: Arctic mixed-phase clouds and their representation in models

Based on the evaluation of ICON-LEM at different Arctic locations performed during phase II, we will continue to apply the model in phase III to tackle evolving questions regarding the representation of Arctic mixed-phase clouds in coarser models. The cloud-resolving simulations will be used as a virtual laboratory. Based on this, we will assess the variability of mixed-phase clouds across the Arctic and investigate, which parts of this variability are represented in coarse-scale models, such as global numerical weather prediction and climate models.

• How important is the spatial variability of mixed-phase cloud properties? Which factors are driving the spatial structures on different scales?
• How is the (regional) variabilty of mixed-phase clouds represented in current numerical weather prediction and climate models? And what are the consequences for the surface energy budget?
• How can we synthesize our simulation across scales to help improve current parametrizations?