Characterizing cold pools in the ITCZ using soundings from the ORCESTRA campaign

In this study we analyze the occurrence of cold pools in the tropical Atlantic during the ORCESTRA field campaign (August to September 2024), using data collected from over 2000 soundings. We first tested whether the method to detect cold pools based on the mixed-layer height, developed for shallow convective cold pools in the winter trades during EUREC4A, is applicable to the deep convective regime of the ITCZ. The validation by a surface-based detection method and the investigated recovery behaviour of the mixed layer after a cold pool demonstrates its applicability to this environment. On this basis, we examine the distribution and properties of cold pools within the tropical Atlantic. A total of 26% of all ORCESTRA soundings detected cold pools, compared to only 7% during the EUREC4A campaign in the winter trades. The ITCZ region with the highest moisture content and presumably deepest convection features the largest number of cold pools. This presentation will further discuss how the cold pool strength and frequency correlate with wind, moisture and stability.