Alexander Tall Tower! AWS Project

[2019 before picture of Alexander Tall Tower]

Observing the atmospheric boundary layer over the Ross Ice Shelf.
This project's main objective is an observational campaign, focused on studying and understanding the behavior of the atmospheric boundary layer over the Ross Ice Shelf, especially in comparison to other studies across the continent.


1. A robust set of year-round, autonomous, atmospheric and surface measurements made using an instrumented 30-m tall tower (TT) on the Ross Ice Shelf.

2. Explain the processes that modulate the exchange of energy between the ice shelf surface and the overlying atmosphere; assess the relationships between near surface stability, winds, and radiative forcing; and compare these relationships observed at the Alexander TT to those described for other portions of the Antarctic continent.

3. Assess the ability of the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) operational weather forecasting model and current generation reanalyses (e.g. CFSR, MERRA, ERA-I) to accurately represent surface and boundary layer processes in this region of Antarctica.


Variable Sensor Type Instrument(s) Measurement level(s)
Air temperature sensor RM Young 43347 1000 ohm platinum resistance thermometer 1.5, 2.5, 3.75. 7.5, 15, and 30 m
Relative humidity sensor Vaisala HMP 45C 7.5, and 30 m
Wind speed sensor R.M. Young Sentry Cup Anemometer 1.5, 2.5 m
Wind speed and direction sensor R.M. Young 05103 Wind Vane 3.75, 7.5, 15, and 30 m
Atmospheric pressure sensor Paroscientific Pressure Transducer Model 215A 3 m
Blowing snow sensor Flow Capt FC4 1 and 5.5 m
Distance sensor SR50A 2 m
Net radiation sensor Kipp and Zonen CNR2 30 m

FTP data access


Publications


Mateling, Marian E.; Lazzara, Mathew A.; Keller, Linda M.; Weidner, George A. and Cassano, John J.. Alexander Tall Tower! A study of the boundary layer on the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, Volume 57, Issue 2, 2018, pp.421-434. Reprint # 8251.

Link to PDF can be found in Publications