Retrieval of particle size distribution of polar stratospheric clouds based on Wide-Angle Color and Polarization Analysis

The intensive polar stratospheric vortex in the Arctic that shifted to northern Europe in the winter of 2019–2020 caused low temperatures and the frequent occurrence of polar stratospheric clouds followed by a significant decrease in the total ozone content. Polarimetry and multi-color photometry using all-sky cameras in Lovozero (Murmansk Region, Russia, 68.0°N, 35.1°E) together with a new method of cloud field separation against the twilight background allowed for finding the light scattering characteristics related to the particle size distribution of polar stratospheric clouds. The results are compared with lidar and balloon experiments. The conditions of the appearance of visually bright polar stratospheric clouds of type I are discussed. [Display omitted] •Bright polar stratospheric clouds were registered by RGB and polarization all-sky cameras.•New method of cloud separation on the twilight background is developed.•Parameters of size distribution of polar stratospheric clouds particles are found with high accuracy.