The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $392,618 Project Grant under its Polar Programs (CFDA 47.078) to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The grant, awarded on August 1, 2024, will fund a collaborative research study on the combined impact of atmospheric rivers and foehn warming on surface warming and melting over West Antarctica. The research aims to utilize new numerical weather prediction simulations and existing satellite/ground observations to investigate atmospheric river-associated extreme weather events in the region. Key objectives include examining detailed physical mechanisms through moisture source tracking, heat exchange analysis, and quantifying the contribution of atmospheric rivers to surface warming and melting. The project will also analyze cloud formation, radiative impacts, and mountain meteorology associated with atmospheric river intrusions. This research is expected to elucidate the impacts of atmospheric rivers on the ice surface from an energy balance perspective and provide more accurate estimates of surface melting in West Antarctica. The award includes plans to engage undergraduate students, develop a public real-time forecast tool, and provide educational seminars on climate change.
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