Global Mars Multiscale Model water cycle validation using results from the Phoenix Mars lander mission

In the current version of the Global Mars Multiscale Model (GM3), the water budget is represented through four terms: water vapour transport, a simple atmospheric ice condensation model, surface water vapour flux, and subsurface diffusion. Phoenix data combined with Viking data and MGS TES climatology provide a new tool to validate and further develop model parameterisations. Focus of current work is on the global field in the late northern summer, with Phoenix data assumed representative of the north polar region. Comparison is with systematic elements of diurnal variation seen in Phoenix MET temperature and TECP data, and new information about cloud height distribution from the Phoenix MET lidar. Results are presented and discussed from global uniform model simulations. Agreement is generally within acceptable levels of uncertainty, however, interesting repeatable near-surface atmospheric temperature variation is observed in Phoenix data during this season which is also present in the northern Viking Lander mission (Viking 2), but not in Viking 1 or in the model. This potential high latitude effect is discussed.