Detectability of the Arctic polar lows over the Barents sea ice edge using multi-sensor approach

Detectability of Polar Lows (PLs) over the Barents sea ice edge is studied using multi-sensor approach, implemented into the Arctic geo-informational system. 53 PLs over the Barents Sea ice edge are identified for the period of 2009-2017 using spectral radiometer and radar images, scatterometer wind fields, and geophysical parameter fields retrieved from satellite passive microwave radiometer measurements. Identification of these PLs has been done using the geo-informational system, allowing synergistic data analysis, making advantage from overlaying various types of data. Several case studies with the comprehensive synoptic analysis, fulfilled on the basis of the NCEP-CFSR data, have confirmed the PL cases in spite of their poor visibility in the regular scatterometer and radiometer wind fields near the sea ice edge. It has been found that the PL identification over the sea ice edge is fast and confident with the geo-informational system, consolidating various satellite data types of different spatial and temporal resolution. Such identification can be used for climatological studies of PLs over the sea ice edge. A selected case of a PL born over the Barents Sea ice edge is presented in the paper.