MOSAiC Science Planning Workshop 27-29 June 2012 Boulder, CO, USA Workshop hosts: Ola Persson & Matthew Shupe CIRES, University of Colorado & NOAA-ESRL

MOSAiC Science Planning Workshop

27-29 June 2012Boulder, CO, USA

Workshop hosts: Ola Persson & Matthew Shupe

CIRES, University of Colorado & NOAA-ESRL

Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate

International Arctic Science Committee

Motivation for MOSAiC Sea-ice melt and broader Arctic change are clearly important

and are finally making it into societal dialog. On many fundamental levels we lack a system- and process-

level understanding of observed changes and often cannot model them

Significant limitations to our understanding of important, interdependent processes and feedbacks in a complex system

There exist few process-level observations of the central Arctic climate system, particularly in the present-day system

A changing Arctic has implications for large-scale circulation, lower-latitude weather/climate, other societal interests.

MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

What is MOSAiC?

Multi-disciplinary, process-level, Arctic climate system study based on a constellation of observations drifting with the Arctic ice pack. Critical elements include: 1. Intensive, comprehensive observations (Atmos., Ice, Ocean) at

a central facility 2. Distributed networks of observations to provide spatial

variability and context (buoys, ships, AUV, UAS, aircraft, satellite)

3. Model studies at multiple scales to integrate and incorporate the observational knowledge

4. Observations comprise a testbed for large-scale model evaluation and development


What is MOSAiC?

Preliminary design elements:• At least 1 full year; preferably multiple years• “Sea-ice Lagrangian” perspective; ice as an

integrator of vertical fluxes in the system• Transpolar drift track• Central observatory is ship-supported icecamp• Target mixture of sea-ice types• Internationally coordinated and supported


What is MOSAiC?


2011

Will this type of drift track be possible and/or desirable?

What is MOSAiC?


Building off previous experiences within the Arctic ice pack:

Russian drifting stationsSHEBAShorter-term campaignsMany disciplinary obs.Some inter-disciplinary obs.

Each of these has key limitations:Length of timeComprehensiveness Spatial contextNot in the “new” Arctic

Russian drifting station

SHEBA

The Science of MOSAiC


Broad Themes Changes in circulation

patterns and impact on local processes

Understanding sea-ice loss and mass, energy, motion budgets

Transfer of momentum, heat, moisture, gases, particles, etc.

Processes active in the “new” Arctic (1st year vs. multi-year)

Large-scale vs. local processes

We are here to define the science!

MOSAiC Science Planning Workshop


MOSAiC activity is organized and supported by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC). Strong leadership provided by the atmosphere sub-committee and support from cryosphere and marine sub-committees.

Additional workshop support provided by University of Colorado-CIRES and NOAA

Michael Tjernström, IASC statement


How did we get here?

• Individuals developing and promoting ideas within the community (Dethloff, Tjernström, Persson, Perovich, Shupe, etc.)

• IASC-atmosphere workshop in Potsdam hosted by Dethloff (Fall 2011)

• Ideas presented/discussed in multiple venues: IASC meetings in Denver (Fall 2011), Montreal (Spring 2012), CliC-sea ice meeting (Fall 2011), ideas presented to various agencies (2011-2012)

• Broadly supportive response from some program managers (DOE, NSF, ONR in the U.S.)


How did we get here?


Potsdam, Fall 2011

Arctic Drifting Station Workshop, IASC-Atmosphere working group

Who are we?

• Broad base of experts on Arctic climate observations and modeling

• Individual introductions NameAffiliationArea of expertise (~1-2 sentences)


What do we hope to accomplish?

Broad objective: Develop science themes, objectives, plans for a drifting observatory campaign• Establish broad, overarching themes that can be

addressed from a drifting observatory• Identify important disciplinary elements • Make inter-disciplinary linkages• Attempt to prioritize scientific themes• Networking for potential participants and leaders


Workshop Structure, Part I:Overview Presentations (Wed > Thur)

• Presenters will give broad overviews, introduce important themes, suggest important linkages, outline areas in need of focus, outline model deficiencies, etc.

• These are meant to start the discussion and will not be exhaustive!


Workshop Structure, Part II:Breakout Sessions (Thurs pm)

• Disciplinary focus to better establish & develop disciplinary themes & priorities

• Facilitated by discussion leaders and rapporteur

• Objective: Provide a summary of important science questions/themes/ideas (in slide format) for presentation to the plenary session


Workshop Structure, Part III:Plenary Sessions (Fri)

• Create linkages between disciplines• Develop broad overarching theme(s)– i.e., Processes leading to diminishing sea-ice – i.e., Processes that are changing in “new” Arctic

• Discuss next steps, reaching out to important communities, developing funding opportunities, coordination of activities


This workshop is not….

• Implementation planning (although many of the logistical implementation details will be important throughout).

• A venue to simply present individual research projects (keep the big picture in mind!)


Charge to Participants

• Think broadly• Engage in the discussions and provide your

input: This is critical for a successful workshop.• Distinguish between general science needs and

those that can be addressed using this drifting perspective.

• Maintain balance. Give everyone the opportunity to present ideas.


Final Workshop Details

• Workshop-hosted dinner tonight• Wireless is available (Mosaic M0sa1c)• Rooms: GB124, GC401, 1D403• Restrooms between GB124 and GC402• Security: Please don’t lose your badge!• Stay tuned for fire-related issues• Please ask Matthew or Ola if you have

questions or concerns.



Broad Process Moving Forward

• Develop Science Plan (Based on this workshop!)• Develop and propose cross-cutting theme within

IASC (2012)• Establish support within other international

structures such as SAON, AOS (ongoing)• Implementation Planning (next workshop anticipated

for Fall 2012 or Spring 2013, possibly in Finland)• Open Science Meeting (2013/2014)• Develop funding base (2013+)


Documents

MOSAiC Science Planning Workshop 27-29 June 2012 Boulder, CO, USA Workshop hosts: Ola Persson & Matthew Shupe CIRES, University of Colorado & NOAA-ESRL