Aircraft Icing: In‐Cloud Measurements and Sensitivity to Physical Parameterizations. Issue 20 (30th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merino, A.; García‐Ortega, E.; Fernández‐González, S.; Díaz‐Fernández, J.; Quitián‐Hernández, L.; Martín, M. L.; López, L.; Marcos, J. L.; Valero, F.; Sánchez, J. L.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 46:Issue 20(2019)
• Page Start: 11559
• Page End: 11567
• Publication Date: 2019-10-30
• Subjects: Aircraft icing -- Cloud microphysics -- Liquid water content -- WRF; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1029/2019GL084424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: The prediction of supercooled cloud drops in the atmosphere is a basic tool for aviation safety, owing to their contact with and instant freezing on sensitive locations of the aircraft. One of the main disadvantages for predicting atmospheric icing conditions is the acquisition of observational data. In this study, we used in‐cloud microphysics measurements taken during 10 flights of a C‐212 research aircraft under winter conditions, during which we encountered 37 regions containing supercooled liquid water. To investigate the capability of the Weather Research and Forecasting model to detect regions containing supercooled cloud drops, we propose a multiphysics ensemble approach. We used four microphysics and two planetary boundary layer schemes. The Morrison parameterization yielded superior results, whereas the planetary boundary layer schemes were essential in evaluating the presence of liquid water content. The Goddard microphysics scheme best detected the presence of ice water content but tended to underestimate liquid water content. Key Points: In‐cloud microphysics measurements were taken using aircraft under winter conditions The Weather Research and Forecasting model was evaluating for icing forecast with multiphysics ensemble approach The Morrison microphysics scheme yielded superior results, and the PBL schemes were essential in evaluating the liquid water content