Simple method to estimate the optical turbulence over snow and ice

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Polar Meteorology
• Optical Turbulence

Background:

• Accurate estimation of optical turbulence (Cn2) is crucial for atmospheric studies, especially in polar regions.
• Existing models may require refinement for snow and ice surfaces.
• The surface layer's optical properties are influenced by unique environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a simple, physics-based method for estimating optical turbulence (Cn2) in the surface layer over snow and ice.
• To validate the proposed method against observational data and compare it with established theories.
• To assess the potential of the method for operational forecasting applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Tatarski equation with an enhanced outer scale model, incorporating wind shear and temperature gradients.
• Collected atmospheric parameter data using a mobile polar measurement system at the Antarctic Taishan Station.
• Estimated Cn2 using the improved Tatarski equation and Monin-Obukhov similarity (MOS) theory.

Main Results:

• The improved Tatarski equation showed a correlation coefficient of 0.72 (log10(Cn2)) against micro-thermometer measurements.
• The Tatarski equation provided a slightly more accurate representation of Cn2 trends and magnitudes compared to MOS theory.
• The proposed method demonstrated good agreement with empirical measurements.

Conclusions:

• The developed physics-based method offers a viable approach for estimating optical turbulence over snow and ice.
• The improved outer scale model enhances the accuracy of Cn2 estimations in polar environments.
• This method holds promise for improving optical turbulence forecasting in challenging polar conditions.