THE VARIABILITY OF ICE NUCLEATING AEROSOLS OVER CENTRAL EUROPE

The role of ice nuclei (IN) in the development of clouds and precipitation is poorly understood. Understanding the growth of hydrometeors and development of precipitation from mixed-phase clouds in a given situation requires knowledge of the generation of primary ice. Therefore, the number concentration of ice nuclei and their activation behavior have to be known. We attempt to characterize the natural variability of ice nucleus concentration as a function of airmass history and degree of pollution. This may serve as a basis to further study the sensitivity of cloud microphysical development on the conditions of primary ice initiation.