Airborne measurements of turbulence and cloud microphysics during PaCE 2022 using the Advanced Max Planck CloudKite Instrument (MPCK + )

Abstract

Abstract. This paper presents the data set collected with the Advanced Max Planck CloudKite instrument (MPCK+) during the Pallas Cloud Experiment (PaCE), conducted at Pallas, Finland, between September 19 and September 26, 2022. The data set includes measurements of turbulence, wind shear, and cloud microphysics in the planetary boundary layer between 0 and 1200 m above ground with flight durations between 1.5 and 3 hours. This data set is intended for researchers studying microphysics of boundary layer clouds in the Arctic at temperatures above freezing level, providing high-resolution airborne measurements of meteorological variables together with cloud droplet concentration and size distribution data. In particular the high spatial resolution of less than 10 m between two cloud droplet size distribution samples, the low altitude and the long flight time allow unprecedented insights into stratocumulus and cumulus clouds not accessible by research airplanes. The aim of this paper is to describe the data collection process, the structure of the data set, and guidelines for potential users.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Earth system science data, 2026 · DOI ↗