MOSAiC Science Planning Workshop June 2012 Boulder, 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 MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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 MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

What is MOSAiC? MOSAiC Workshop, June Will this type of drift track be possible and/or desirable?

What is MOSAiC? MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012 Building off previous experiences within the Arctic ice pack: Russian drifting stations SHEBA Shorter-term campaigns Many disciplinary obs. Some inter-disciplinary obs. Each of these has key limitations: Length of time Comprehensiveness Spatial context Not in the “new” Arctic Russian drifting station SHEBA

The Science of MOSAiC MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012 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 (1 st year vs. multi-year)  Large-scale vs. local processes We are here to define the science!

MOSAiC Science Planning Workshop MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012 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 MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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 ( ) Broadly supportive response from some program managers (DOE, NSF, ONR in the U.S.) MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

How did we get here? MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012 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 Name Affiliation Area of expertise (~1-2 sentences) MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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 MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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! MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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 MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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 MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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!) MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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. MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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. MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012

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+) MOSAiC Workshop, June 2012