The sensitivity of solsticial pauses to atmospheric ice and dust in the MarsWRF General Circulation Model

•Realistic water ice and dust interaction is simulated in a Mars climate model.•A new microphysics model with hybrid two-moment/binned physics has been developed.•Near surface wave activity has a minimum amplitude during winter solstice.•The solsticial pause is a reproducible feature of the dusty Mars atmosphere.•Solstitial pause amplitude produced by the model compare well with reanalysis data.