A recent study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, authored by an international team including lead researcher Professor David Bromwich from the Department of Geography at The Ohio State University and the principal investigator with the Polar Meteorology Group (PMG) at the Byrd Center, highlights the successful execution of seven Winter Targeted Observing Periods (TOPs) during the 2022 "Year of Polar Prediction in the Southern Hemisphere" (YOPP-SH).

This initiative aimed to enhance atmospheric predictability over the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, regions crucial for understanding global climate dynamics.

During these TOPs, each lasting 5 to 10 days, a total of 1100 additional radiosonde balloons were launched, more than doubling the routine observations at 24 research stations managed by 14 countries. These intensified observations were evaluated through data denial experiments to refine weather prediction models, particularly for harsh winter conditions in these remote regions.

The focus of these observational campaigns was on atmospheric rivers (ARs) and their associated cloud and precipitation processes, which are predominant during the winter months.

Extensive data collected on cloud formation and precipitation during AR events helped refine microphysical parameterizations in weather models, addressing the challenges posed by the mixed-phase clouds frequently affecting coastal Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

Parallel studies also explored the Antarctic tourist industry's engagement with weather forecasting services, revealing significant potential for increased awareness and usage of these crucial forecasts. Furthermore, the Sea Ice Prediction Network South (SIPN South) provided insights into the predictability of the seasonal cycle of sea ice phases, showing better forecast accuracy during the growth phase compared to the retreat phase.

The YOPP-SH initiative, part of the broader Polar Prediction Project (PPP) concluded in December 2022, underscores the ongoing efforts to improve weather and environmental predictions in the polar regions. These efforts enhance scientific understanding and support practical applications, including better support for Antarctic tourism and year-round scientific investigations.

Last month, PMG's Mariana Fontolan Litell, a Ph.D. candidate in Atmospheric Sciences and one of the study's authors, presented her research results at the American Geophysical Union's Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about this study by visiting "Winter Targeted Observing Periods during the Year of Polar Prediction in the Southern Hemisphere (YOPP-SH)."