Articles | Volume 15, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2061-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2061-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
05 Apr 2022
Research article |
| 05 Apr 2022
| 05 Apr 2022
Simulation and field campaign evaluation of an optical particle counter on a fixed-wing UAV
Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Physics, School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK
Warren Stanley
Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Physics, School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK
Chris Stopford
Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Physics, School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK
David Brus
Atmospheric Composition Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 503, 00101, Helsinki, Finland
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Konstantinos Matthaios Doulgeris, David Brus, Christian Maier, Naděžda Zikova, Kajal Julaha, Cuiqi Zhang, Zamin A. Kanji, Ville Kaikkonen, Harri Juttula, Eero Molkoselkä, Anssi Makynen, Mika Komppula, Sergej Sel, and Elke Ludewig
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3898, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3898, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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Clouds are important for weather and climate, but measuring their cloud water droplets accurately is difficult. We compared seven instruments during a field campaign at a high mountain observatory under natural cloud conditions. We found that the way instruments are installed can strongly influence the measurements. Our results provide practical guidance for improving cloud observations and support more consistent measurements across the European ACTRIS research infrastructure.
Jonas Svensson, Ramazon Rakhmonov, Kamoliddin Nazirzoda, Abdusamad Hojiev, Tamlikho Jurabekov, Amirsho Hiyoev, Davlatjon Rahimzoda, Hizbullo Kholzoda, Muzaffar Shodmonov, David Brus, Viet Le, Krista Luoma, Adriano Lemos, Germán Perez Fogwill, Meri M. Ruppel, Outi Meinander, Johan Ström, Eija Asmi, and Antti Hyvärinen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 18, 5697–5712, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-5697-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-5697-2026, 2026
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This paper presents data collected at the Zarafshon River Basin and the Hydrographic Party Glacier (GGP), Tajikistan. In annual field expeditions from 2018–2025, data has been collected on the glacier, as well as including meteorological measurements and aerosols. Presented results highlight the environmental conditions that are driving environmental change in Central Asia.
Ari Leskinen, Antonia Radlwimmer, Uula Isopahkala, Silvia Calderón, David Brus, Konstantinos Doulgeris, Ville Kaikkonen, Eero Molkoselkä, Dmitri Moiseev, Marie Lou Hirschy, Anssi Mäkynen, Sami Romakkaniemi, and Mika Komppula
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2088, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2088, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).
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We present a lightweight holographic imaging instrument, designed for high-resolution in-cloud particle measurements at a rate of 10 holograms per second, which leads to sub-meter spatial resolution on-board UAV. The approach offers a cost-effective and versatile alternative, capable of accessing confined or remote areas, enabling improved validation of remote sensing products and numerical cloud models. We present the potential of such instrumentation for high-resolution cloud observations.
Maria Kezoudi, Alkistis Papetta, Konrad Kandler, Claire L. Ryder, Andreas Leonidou, Christos Keleshis, Chris Stopford, Troy Thornberry, Rodanthi-Elisavet Mamouri, Jean Sciare, and Franco Marenco
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 7361–7385, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-7361-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-7361-2026, 2026
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This study demonstrates a cost-efficient methodology using Uncrewed Aerial Systems for quantitative characterization of airborne dust. It enables high-resolution vertical profiling of microphysical properties of dust layers from the Middle East and North Africa over Cyprus, improving understanding of regional dust transport, source-dependent variability, and impacts on air quality, radiation, and climate.
Maria Filioglou, Krista Luoma, Eija Asmi, Viet Le, Klaus Haikarainen, David Brus, Tero Mielonen, Mika Komppula, Annele Virtanen, Olli Sippula, Iida Pullinen, Angela Buchholz, Pasi Miettinen, Snehitha Kommula, Saara Peltokorpi, Liqing Hao, Kajar Köster, Annika Saarto, Sanna Pätsi, Pieter G. van Zyl, Liezl Bredenkamp, and Ville Vakkari
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2421, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2421, 2026
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This study explores how smoke and volcanic ash particles, alter the way light is scattered in the atmosphere. By using a ground‑based HALO Doppler lidar system, we observed clear differences in the depolarization ratio, a shape-relevant optical parameter, between fresh smoke, aged smoke, and volcanic ash. These findings show that HALO Doppler lidars can help identify particle types in the air and even provide estimates of smoke mass concentrations, improving assessments of air quality.
Viet Le, Konstantinos Doulgeris, Mika Komppula, John Backman, Gholamhossein Bagheri, Eberhard Bodenschatz, and David Brus
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-135, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-135, 2026
Preprint under review for ESSD
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Vertical profiles and time series of aerosol particles, cloud droplets, and weather conditions were measured by the Finnish Meteorological Institute airborne payload attached to tethered balloons during the Pallas Cloud Experiment 2022 in Finland. When combined with other datasets collected during the campaign, these measurements will enable integrated analyses and offer a comprehensive view of the atmospheric conditions during the experiment.
Jessica Girdwood, David Brus, Konstantinos-Matthaios Doulgeris, and Alexander Böhmländer
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 18, 2819–2828, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-2819-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-2819-2026, 2026
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In-situ data of cloud microphysics is essential for targeted studies of cloud processes, validating remote sensing, and both assessing and improving the accuracy of weather and climate models. In this work we adopt a novel technique using a small uncrewed aircraft (SUA) and a bespoke sensor to produce vertical profiles of cloud microphysical parameters. The data are publicly available from https://zenodo.org/records/14756233.
Alkistis Papetta, Maria Kezoudi, Holger Baars, Athina Floutsi, Eleni Drakaki, Konrad Kandler, Sudharaj Aryasree, Elena Louca, Theodoros Christoudias, Eleni Marinou, Chris Stopford, Troy Thornberry, Vassilis Amiridis, Jean Sciare, and Franco Marenco
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 2055–2082, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-2055-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-2055-2026, 2026
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Dust in the atmosphere affects air quality, weather, and climate, but measuring it is challenging. We used drones and ground-based instruments to study how dust particles interact with light and relate this to their mass. Current methods often underestimate large dust particles, leading to errors in dust quantity. Our results show that regional differences in dust must be considered to improve climate models and satellite observations.
Ross James Herbert, Larissa Lacher, Alexander Böhmländer, Mark D. Tarn, Antione Canzi, Aidan Pantoya, Evelyn Freney, Kristina Höhler, Pia Bogert, Celine Planche, Ping Tian, Michael Adams, Sarah Barr, David Brus, Nicole Büttner, Martin Daily, Konstantinos Doulgeris, Konstantinos Eleftheridadis, Grant Forster, Romy Fösig, Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, Maria Gini, A. Gannett Hallar, Radovan Krejci, Elke Ludewig, Mauro Mazzola, Ian B. McCubbin, Tuukka Petäjä, Joseph Robinson, Franziska Vogel, Paul Zieger, Stephen R. Arnold, Kenneth S. Carslaw, Naruki Hiranuma, Ottmar Möhler, and Benjamin J. Murray
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-41, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-41, 2026
Revised manuscript under review for ESSD
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Ice formation in sub-zero clouds is influenced by airborne particles called ice-nucleating particles (INPs), whose concentrations vary substantially over short time and spatial scales. To assess the role of INPs in our climate, a comprehensive and consistent global dataset is essential. Our GloPINE model-ready dataset is a major step in this direction, comprising 36,000 measurements made using a single instrument design (PINE) over 70,000 hours of operation at 20 northern hemisphere sites.
Hannah Meyer, Konrad Kandler, Sylvain Dupont, Jerónimo Escribano, Jessica Girdwood, George Nikolich, Andrés Alastuey, Vicken Etyemezian, Cristina González-Flórez, Adolfo González-Romero, Tareq Hussein, Mark Irvine, Peter Knippertz, Ottmar Möhler, Xavier Querol, Chris Stopford, Franziska Vogel, Frederik Weis, Andreas Wieser, Carlos Pérez García-Pando, and Martina Klose
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 19, 21–61, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-21-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-21-2026, 2026
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Mineral dust particles emitted from dry soils are of various sizes, yet the abundance of very large particles is not well understood. Here we measured the dust size distribution from fine to giant particles at an emission source during a field campaign in Jordan (J-WADI) using multiple instruments. Our findings show that large particles make up a significant part of the total dust mass. This knowledge is essential to improve climate models and to predict dust impacts on climate and environment.
Sami D. Harni, Lasse Johansson, Jarkko V. Niemi, Ville Silvonen, Juan Andrés Casquero-Vera, Anu Kousa, Krista Luoma, Viet Le, David Brus, Konstantinos Doulgeris, Topi Rönkkö, Hanna E. Manninen, Tuukka Petäjä, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 18719–18738, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-18719-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-18719-2025, 2025
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A three-month-long measurement campaign was conducted at Espoo, Finland, in spring 2023. The measurement campaign studied the effect of the noise barrier on pollutant concentration gradients on the side of a major highway. The studied pollutants included PM10, PM2.5, lung deposited surface area (LDSA), particle number concentration (PNC), NO2, and black carbon (BC). The noise barrier was found to be effective in reducing, especially the concentration of particulate pollutants.
Kajal Julaha, Vladimír Ždímal, Saliou Mbengue, David Brus, and Naděžda Zíková
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 17933–17951, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-17933-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-17933-2025, 2025
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This study used drones for vertical profiling of black carbon and particle number at rural and urban sites in Czechia. With aerosol drying, drone measurements matched with fixed instruments; without drying, black carbon was significantly overestimated. Rural profiles were more stratified in winter, while urban summer profiles were well-mixed. These findings can help improve air-quality monitoring and policies by capturing vertical pollution structures that ground stations cannot resolve.
Konstantinos Matthaios Doulgeris, Ville Kaikkonen, Harri Juttula, Eero Molkoselkä, Anssi Mäkynen, and David Brus
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 6497–6506, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6497-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6497-2025, 2025
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We present data collected from ground-based cloud instruments that measured cloud droplets in autumn 2022 in northern Finland. The aim of the research was to improve understanding of how clouds form and behave in cold regions. Measurements were taken directly inside clouds and include information on droplet sizes, water content, and weather conditions. The results support better climate and weather prediction.
Alexander Böhmländer, Larissa Lacher, Romy Fösig, Nicole Büttner, Jens Nadolny, David Brus, Konstantinos-Matthaios Doulgeris, and Ottmar Möhler
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 6165–6171, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6165-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6165-2025, 2025
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Cloud-aerosol interactions lead to a phase change of water droplets inside the atmosphere. One of these interactions happens due to a small subset of aerosols, ice-nucleating particles (INPs). These INPs lead to the freezing of pure water droplets above −35 °C, which otherwise would stay liquid. This has impacts on the weather and climate. The present data set presents a unique data set with a high temporal resolution.
Alexander Böhmländer, Larissa Lacher, Kristina Höhler, David Brus, Konstantinos-Matthaios Doulgeris, Jessica Girdwood, Thomas Leisner, and Ottmar Möhler
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 6157–6164, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6157-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-6157-2025, 2025
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Clouds play a key role in weather and climate. Pure liquid water droplets are liquid until about −35 °C without the presence of a small subset of aerosols, ice-nucleating particles (INPs). These INPs lead to primary ice formation and therefore impact the phase of clouds. The dataset described herein provides INP concentration measurements at two altitudes. Connecting this data to synoptic conditions and ambient data might provide a better understanding of INPs in Finnish Lapland.
David Brus, Viet Le, Joel Kuula, and Konstantinos Doulgeris
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 5209–5219, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-5209-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-5209-2025, 2025
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This paper provides datasets collected as part of the Pallas Cloud Experiment campaign in northern Finland during autumn of 2022. We provide an overview of a custom-built drone backpack for air quality and atmospheric state variable measurements carried on top of a consumer-grade drone (DJI Mavic 2 Pro). Moreover, we describe the flight strategies and provide an overview of the datasets obtained, including a description of the measurements against a reference for data validation.
Jürgen Gratzl, Alexander Böhmländer, Sanna Pätsi, Clara-E. Pogner, Markus Gorfer, David Brus, Konstantinos Matthaios Doulgeris, Florian Wieland, Eija Asmi, Annika Saarto, Ottmar Möhler, Dominik Stolzenburg, and Hinrich Grothe
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12007–12035, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12007-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12007-2025, 2025
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We studied particles in the air over 1 year in the Finnish sub-Arctic to understand how biological particles affect ice formation in clouds. We found that fungal spores are the main contributors to ice formation at warmer temperatures. These particles are released locally and vary with the weather. Our results also show that we know very little about which fungi can form ice in the atmosphere, highlighting a major gap in our understanding of how nature influences weather and climate.
Sina Jost, Ralf Weigel, Konrad Kandler, Luis Valero, Jessica Girdwood, Chris Stopford, Warren Stanley, Luca K. Eichhorn, Christian von Glahn, and Holger Tost
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 4397–4412, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4397-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4397-2025, 2025
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For the balloon-borne detection of particles (diameter 0.4 < Dp < 40 µm), the Universal Cloud and Aerosol Sounding System (UCASS) was used, whose sample flow is determined by GPS-measured ascent rates. In flights, actual UCASS sample flows rarely match the ascent rates. Errors are minimised by real-time detection of the UCASS flows, e.g. by implementing a thermal flow sensor (TFS) within the UCASS. The TFSs were tested in flight and calibrated at up to 10 m s−1 and at variable angles of attack.
Alexander Böhmländer, Larissa Lacher, David Brus, Konstantinos-Matthaios Doulgeris, Zoé Brasseur, Matthew Boyer, Joel Kuula, Thomas Leisner, and Ottmar Möhler
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 3959–3971, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3959-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3959-2025, 2025
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Clouds and aerosol are important for weather and climate. Typically, pure water cloud droplets stay liquid until around −35 °C, unless they come into contact with ice-nucleating particles (INPs). INPs are a rare subset of aerosol particles. Using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), it is possible to collect aerosol particles and analyse their ice-nucleating ability. This study describes the test and validation of a sampling set-up that can be used to collect aerosol particles onto a filter.
Jürgen Gratzl, David Brus, Konstantinos Doulgeris, Alexander Böhmländer, Ottmar Möhler, and Hinrich Grothe
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 3975–3985, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3975-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3975-2025, 2025
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Near-real time monitoring of airborne biological particles like fungal spores or pollen grains is of great interest for two main reasons: to improve atmospheric allergen forecasts and to deepen the understanding of how bio-aerosols influence cloud formation. Here, we measured fluorescent bio-aerosols in the Finnish sub-Arctic with a high time resolution. A data set that might improve our understanding of biosphere–cloud interactions and the dynamics of bio-aerosols in the atmosphere.
John Backman, Krista Luoma, Henri Servomaa, Ville Vakkari, and David Brus
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-284, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-284, 2025
Revised manuscript under review for ESSD
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This work describes the in-situ aerosol measurements at the Arctic Sammaltunturi measurement station in Pallas in northern Finland. This data paper describes the instruments and the data post processing of key aerosol particle measurements that are relevant for cloud properties. Data reported here are part of the Pallas Cloud Experiment in 2022 (PaCE2022).
Viet Le, Konstantinos Matthaios Doulgeris, Mika Komppula, John Backman, Gholamhossein Bagheri, Eberhard Bodenschatz, and David Brus
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-148, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-148, 2025
Preprint withdrawn
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This manuscript presents datasets collected during the Pallas Cloud Experiment in northern Finland during the autumn of 2022. We provide an overview of the payload that measured meteorological, cloud, and aerosol properties, and was deployed on tethered balloon systems across 21 flights. Additionally, we describe the datasets obtained, including details of the instruments on the payload.
Jessica Girdwood, Harry Ballington, Chris Stopford, Rob Lewis, and Evelyn Hesse
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 305–317, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-305-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-305-2025, 2025
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Optical particle spectrometers (OPSs) are a class of instruments (commonly used for measurement of particle size distributions) that require calibration. Conventionally, this is performed using a known aerosol source, which has reliability issues. In this paper, we present a technique for OPS calibration which involves placing objects in the instrument that generate a known response. This fibre calibration method was more reliable than a conventional calibration.
Konstantinos Matthaios Doulgeris, Ville Vakkari, Ewan J. O'Connor, Veli-Matti Kerminen, Heikki Lihavainen, and David Brus
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2483–2498, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2483-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2483-2023, 2023
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We investigated how different long-range-transported air masses can affect the microphysical properties of low-level clouds in a clean subarctic environment. A connection was revealed. Higher values of cloud droplet number concentrations were related to continental air masses, whereas the lowest values of number concentrations were related to marine air masses. These were characterized by larger cloud droplets. Clouds in all regions were sensitive to increases in cloud number concentration.
Zoé Brasseur, Dimitri Castarède, Erik S. Thomson, Michael P. Adams, Saskia Drossaart van Dusseldorp, Paavo Heikkilä, Kimmo Korhonen, Janne Lampilahti, Mikhail Paramonov, Julia Schneider, Franziska Vogel, Yusheng Wu, Jonathan P. D. Abbatt, Nina S. Atanasova, Dennis H. Bamford, Barbara Bertozzi, Matthew Boyer, David Brus, Martin I. Daily, Romy Fösig, Ellen Gute, Alexander D. Harrison, Paula Hietala, Kristina Höhler, Zamin A. Kanji, Jorma Keskinen, Larissa Lacher, Markus Lampimäki, Janne Levula, Antti Manninen, Jens Nadolny, Maija Peltola, Grace C. E. Porter, Pyry Poutanen, Ulrike Proske, Tobias Schorr, Nsikanabasi Silas Umo, János Stenszky, Annele Virtanen, Dmitri Moisseev, Markku Kulmala, Benjamin J. Murray, Tuukka Petäjä, Ottmar Möhler, and Jonathan Duplissy
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5117–5145, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5117-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5117-2022, 2022
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The present measurement report introduces the ice nucleation campaign organized in Hyytiälä, Finland, in 2018 (HyICE-2018). We provide an overview of the campaign settings, and we describe the measurement infrastructure and operating procedures used. In addition, we use results from ice nucleation instrument inter-comparison to show that the suite of these instruments deployed during the campaign reports consistent results.
Konstantinos Matthaios Doulgeris, Heikki Lihavainen, Anti-Pekka Hyvärinen, Veli-Matti Kerminen, and David Brus
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 637–649, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-637-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-637-2022, 2022
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We produced and summarized data sets obtained from two cloud ground-based spectrometers (CAPS and FSSP-100 ground setups) during 8 years of Pallas Cloud Experiment campaigns conducted in autumn from 2004 until 2019 along with several meteorological variables. The campaigns took place in the Finnish sub-Arctic region in a clear environment in temperatures that were usually below zero. This data set provides a helpful contribution to cloud microphysics processes.
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Short summary
UAVs have great potential to be used for airborne measurements of cloud and aerosol properties, which are of particular importance due to the largely uncharacterised nature of such phenomena. However, since UAVs are a new tool in atmospheric physics expensive platform validation and characterisation of UAV-instrument combinations needs to be performed. This paper presents an evaluation of a fixed-wing UAV in combination with an instrument that measures cloud droplet diameter.
UAVs have great potential to be used for airborne measurements of cloud and aerosol properties,...
