Giant Cloud Condensation Nuclei enhanced Ice Sublimation Process: a potential mechanism in mixed-phase clouds

Abstract

The Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen (WBF) process describes the growth of ice crystals at the expense of supercooled liquid droplets in mixed-phase clouds, driven by phase transitions at temperatures below 0 °C. In this study, we introduce a potential mechanism involving the transfer of water vapor from ice to cloud droplets formed on Giant Cloud Condensation Nuclei (GCCN). This process occurs under specific atmospheric conditions influenced by temperature and CCN size, particularly for CCN with diameters exceeding 1 µm. We term this mechanism the Giant Cloud Condensation Nuclei-Enhanced Ice Sublimation Process (GCCN-ISP). We first conduct a theoretical analysis to develop a physical model for determining these specific atmospheric conditions, followed by validation through observations. Model simulations informed by observational data from aircraft indicate that when CCNs are sufficiently large and cold, the water vapor partial pressure over droplets formed on these CCNs can be lower than that over ice. Consequently, water vapor can transfer from ice to supercooled droplets, causing the droplets to grow. Eventually, the water vapor pressures of both reach equilibrium, resulting in their coexistence.