Physics and Chemistry of the Arctic Atmosphere

In a such changing environment like the Arctic, improving the understanding of the thermodynamic state and processes of the atmosphere is critical for the development of accurate prediction and climatic models. This is fundamental for example for studies on sea-ice development as well as on cloud formation. Taking into account the above remarks, it is very important to know the pressure, temperature and moisture conditions of the Arctic atmosphere throughout the year and over the whole tropospheric and stratospheric altitude range. Furthermore, knowing these data is necessary to realistically evaluate the radiative effects involving both the short-wave and long-wave radiation fluxes, which regulate the energy balance of the Arctic surface-atmosphere system. Continuous measurements of these parameters by means of radiosonde in the Arctic are reviewed, including correction algorithms, in order to obtain detailed climatologies in terms of seasonal, inter-annual and vertical behaviour.