Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3368
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3368
13 Nov 2024
 | 13 Nov 2024

Multi-year precipitation characteristics based on in-situ and remote sensing observations at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

Kerstin Ebell, Christian Buhren, Rosa Gierens, Giovanni Chellini, Melanie Lauer, Andreas Walbröl, Sandro Dahlke, Pavel Krobot, and Mario Mech

Abstract. Accurate precipitation data are essential for understanding the Arctic climate, yet estimates from satellite, re-analysis, or climate models remain uncertain. Ground-based observations, which are sparse in the Arctic, are needed for a better understanding of precipitation processes and, as reference points, can help to characterize uncertainties and improve precipitation estimates. We present extended precipitation measurements at the Arctic research station AWIPEV in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, consisting of a Pluvio precipitation gauge, a Parsivel disdrometer, and a micro rain radar. Analyzing four years of data (August 2017–December 2021), we characterized precipitation by amount, type, and frequency and also focused on extreme events. Monthly precipitation at Ny-Ålesund varied widely, from 1 to 155 mm. We also associated the contribution of weather systems, i.e., of atmospheric rivers (ARs), cyclones, and fronts, to precipitation amount. Though ARs (separated or co-located with other weather systems) occur only 8 % of the time at Ny-Ålesund, 43 % of the total precipitation amount is measured during these events and 22 % when only ARs are present. Cyclones contributed 40 % (21 %) of the total precipitation amount if all (separated) cyclone events are considered. Extreme precipitation events were largely associated with ARs, i.e. in 11 out of 12 cases. Determining precipitation occurrence depends very much on the observation method and the temporal resolution, from 1 % (Pluvio at 1-minute resolution) to 21 % (micro rain radar) and increased to 38 % with daily resolved Pluvio data. Identifying precipitation type solely through Parsivel remains challenging, and a more detailed evaluation using in-situ methods is needed.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

14 Jul 2025
Impact of weather systems on observed precipitation at Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard)
Kerstin Ebell, Christian Buhren, Rosa Gierens, Giovanni Chellini, Melanie Lauer, Andreas Walbröl, Sandro Dahlke, Pavel Krobot, and Mario Mech
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7315–7342, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7315-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7315-2025, 2025
Short summary
Kerstin Ebell, Christian Buhren, Rosa Gierens, Giovanni Chellini, Melanie Lauer, Andreas Walbröl, Sandro Dahlke, Pavel Krobot, and Mario Mech

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Anonymous Referee #1, 13 Dec 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Dec 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Hans-Werner Jacobi, 18 Dec 2024
  • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Kerstin Ebell, 26 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Anonymous Referee #1, 13 Dec 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Dec 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Hans-Werner Jacobi, 18 Dec 2024
  • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3368', Kerstin Ebell, 26 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Kerstin Ebell on behalf of the Authors (26 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (10 Mar 2025) by Matthias Tesche
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (28 Mar 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (31 Mar 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (01 Apr 2025) by Matthias Tesche
AR by Kerstin Ebell on behalf of the Authors (17 Apr 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (22 Apr 2025) by Matthias Tesche
AR by Kerstin Ebell on behalf of the Authors (23 Apr 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

14 Jul 2025
Impact of weather systems on observed precipitation at Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard)
Kerstin Ebell, Christian Buhren, Rosa Gierens, Giovanni Chellini, Melanie Lauer, Andreas Walbröl, Sandro Dahlke, Pavel Krobot, and Mario Mech
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7315–7342, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7315-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7315-2025, 2025
Short summary
Kerstin Ebell, Christian Buhren, Rosa Gierens, Giovanni Chellini, Melanie Lauer, Andreas Walbröl, Sandro Dahlke, Pavel Krobot, and Mario Mech
Kerstin Ebell, Christian Buhren, Rosa Gierens, Giovanni Chellini, Melanie Lauer, Andreas Walbröl, Sandro Dahlke, Pavel Krobot, and Mario Mech

Viewed

Total article views: 443 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
311 102 30 443 27 25
  • HTML: 311
  • PDF: 102
  • XML: 30
  • Total: 443
  • BibTeX: 27
  • EndNote: 25
Views and downloads (calculated since 13 Nov 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 13 Nov 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 428 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 428 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 14 Jul 2025
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Ground-based observations of precipitation are rare in the Arctic. In 2017, additional precipitation measurements by a precipitation gauge, a laser disdrometer, and a micro rain radar were established at the Arctic station AWIPEV in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. We present statistics on precipitation amount, frequency, and type for the first years of data. Large-scale systems like atmospheric rivers and cyclones strongly contribute to precipitation and, in particular, to extreme precipitation events.
Share