Polar Meteorology

To understand the small-scale processes in clouds and boundary layers that define the future of the polar regions.

We study small-scale physical processes and the atmospheric composition of the polar atmospheric boundary layers and the lower free troposphere to provide answers to big questions on polar and global climate change.

Future climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic depends on feedbacks governed by small-scale processes: How do the surface fluxes of heat, moisture, momentum and particles change as the atmosphere becomes less stable, and as sea ice gives way to open ocean? How do clouds and precipitation change in response to changes in temperature, moisture, circulation and in the availability of particles that can trigger condensation or freezing? How do these changes affect the coupled polar climate system?

We obtain, publish and disseminate data to answer these questions by conducting long-term observations and field expeditions to the polar regions. In particular, our group runs the meteorological and aerosol/trace gas observatories in Antarctica and the meteorological observatory on Polarstern and frequently uses the Polar aircraft.

We train machine-learning models to improve our understanding of polar climate and to advance the use of machine learning in atmospheric science. We use and develop theoretical understanding of the underlying processes and combine our data with other observations and model experiments to close important knowledge gaps on our climate system.