Southern Ocean precipitation: Toward a process‐level understanding

Large differences continue to exist between current precipitation products over the Southern Ocean (SO). This limits our ability close hydrological cycle SO and Antarctica, as well limiting understanding of a range climatological meteorological processes. uncertainty arises from absence long-term, high-quality surface observational records suitable for evaluation across temporal spatial scales. We have no “truth” this region that covers ~15% Earth's surface. These extend distributions trends. Precipitation been calibrated evaluated against established observations in Northern Hemisphere potentially may be biased due fundamental dynamics microphysics remote SO. review first considers recent advances SO, including variability, thermodynamic phase, response climate drivers. then examine several commonly used derived satellite (both passive active), reanalyses, merged products. Where possible, we skill these processes occur Finally, look briefly at potential new resources, such dual-polarized radars maritime disdrometers, can field campaigns specifically designed observe process level, ultimately evaluate article is categorized under: Paleoclimates Current Trends > Earth System Behavior Climate Forcing