Airborne measurements in a stable boundary layer over the Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctica

King, J.C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3315-7568; Lachlan-Cope, T.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0657-3235; Ladkin, R.S.; Weiss, A.. 2008 Airborne measurements in a stable boundary layer over the Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 127 (3). 413-428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-008-9271-4

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Abstract/Summary

We present aircraft measurements of boundary-layer structure and surface turbulent fluxes from a flight over the Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Warm advection, associated with föhn flow, led to the formation of a stable boundary layer over the ice shelf, with a well-defined low-level jet at the top of the surface inversion. The strong shear associated with the jet kept the gradient Richardson number small and maintained a turbulent boundary layer over a depth of at least 600 m. The net surface energy balance amounted to 52 Wm−2, equivalent to a melt rate of 13 mm water per day, with net radiation (48 Wm−2) making the largest contribution to melt. The contribution from the sensible heat flux (13 Wm−2) was largely balanced by an upwards latent heat flux (−9 Wm−2). These measurements provide insight into the processes that control surface melt rates in an area that has experienced recent rapid warming and deglaciation.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-008-9271-4
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Antarctic Climate and the Earth System
ISSN:	0006-8314
NORA Subject Terms:	Meteorology and Climatology Glaciology Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	16 Jun 2008 15:09 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/3218

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