FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Transcription

1 FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Russian Federation State Research Center Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Russian Antarctic Expedition STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations January-March 2001 St. Petersburg 2001

2 2001 FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Russian Federation State Research Center Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Russian Antarctic Expedition STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations January-March 2001 Edited by V.V. Lukin St. Petersburg 2001

3 Authors and contributors: Section I.. - M.O. Krichak, (Russian Antarctic Expedition RAE), Section II. - Ye.I. Aleksandrov (Department of Meteorology), Section III - G.Ye. Ryabkov (Department of Long-Range-Meteorological Forecasting), Section IV.- A.I. Korotkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting), Section V..- Ye.Ye. Sibir (Department of Meteorology), Section VI.-, I.P.Editkina, R.Yu. Lukyanova, I.V. Moskvin,. A.V. Frank-Kamenetsky (Department of Geophysics), Section VII - V.Ye. Lagun (Air-Sea Interaction Department), G.J. Marshall (British Antarctic Survey), Section VIII...- V.V. Lukin, V.M. Venderovich (RAE). Editor-in-Chief M.O. Krichak Translated by I.I.Solovieva Acknowledgements: Russian Antarctic Expedition is grateful to all AARI staff for help and assistance in preparing this Bulletin. For more information about the contents of this publication, please, contact Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Roshydromet Russian Antarctic Expedition Bering St., 38, St. Petersburg Russia Phone: (812) Fax: (812) lukin@raexp.spb.su

4 CONTENTS PREFACE DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS ANOMALOUS METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES ABOVE THE ANTARCTIC IN JANUARY-MARCH BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN IN JANUARY-MARCH 2001 FROM SATELLITE DATA AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT MIRNY AND VOSTOK STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2001 DATA OF ONGOING OBSERVATIONS A DEFINITIVE MONTHLY SURFACE TEMPERATURE SERIES FOR BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION, ANTARCTICA MAIN EVENTS OF RAE ACTIVITY IN JANUARY-MARCH

5 PREFACE The Bulletin is prepared on the basis of data reported from the Russian Antarctic stations in the on-line mode via the communication channels. Section I of this issue contains monthly averages of standard meteorological and actinometric observations and upper-air sounding at the Russian Antarctic stations for January-March At the present time, standard meteorological observations are carried out at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen and Vostok stations. The upper-air sounding is undertaken at two stations, namely, at Mirny Observatory and at Novolazarevskaya station once a day at UT. More frequent sounding is conducted at both stations during the International Geophysical Intervals (IGI) in accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar. In the meteorological tables, the atmospheric pressure for the coastal stations is referenced to sea level whereas for the inland Vostok station located at a height of almost 3500 m, it is given at the station level. Along with the monthly averages of meteorological parameters, the tables also contain their deviations from multiyear averages (absolute anomalies), normalized anomalies (deviations in σ f fractions - (f-f avg )/ σ f ) and relative anomalies (f/f avg ) of the monthly sums of precipitation and total radiation. The statistical characteristics necessary for calculation of anomalies were derived at the AARI Department of Meteorology for the period as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization. The geophysical observation data published in the Bulletin (section 6) present the results of measurements at Mirny Observatory and at Vostok station under the geomagnetic and ionospheric programs (magnetic and riometer observations). Data of riometer observations are presented as plots of the maximum daily values of space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency. The geophysical information also includes the magnetic activity index (PC-index), which is calculated on the basis of geomagnetic observation data at Vostok station. The Bulletin also contains brief overviews with an assessment of the anomalous state of the Antarctic environment based on actual data. Sections 2 and 3 are devoted to the meteorological and synoptic conditions. The analysis of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean (Section 4) is performed using satellite data received at the Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations and observations at the coastal Bellingshausen, Progress and Mirny stations. The anomalous character of ice conditions is assessed against the multiyear averages of the drifting ice edge location and the multiyear averages of the onset of different ice phases in the coastal areas of the Southern Ocean adjoining the Antarctic stations. The multiyear averages were obtained at the AARI Ice Regime and Forecasting Department over the period Section 5 presents an overview of the total ozone (TO) level based on measurements at Mirny Observatory and at Vostok station. Section 7 opens a series of information publications on the results of fulfilling the Antarctic data Project under the Antarctica Program aiming to create a database on the basis of the direct measurements of environmental parameters in the Antarctic over the entire period of instrumental observations using modern data processing and presentation instruments. The statistical characteristics of the surface temperature field at Bellingshausen station were obtained at the Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction Department in cooperation with the British Antarctic Survey. The last Section (8) is traditionally devoted to the main directions and events of the RAE logistics activity during the period under consideration.

6 Russian Antarctic stations in operation in January-March 2001 MIRNY OBSERVTORY STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 39.9 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = S; λ = E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES Φ = ; = BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY 7 December 5 January BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 119 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = S; λ = E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY 15 November - 28 January BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT 21 May - 23 July BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 14.3 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = S; λ = W BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY No BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No VOSTOK STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 3488 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = S; λ = E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES Φ = ; = BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY 21 October - 21 February BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT 23 April - 21 August PROGRESS STATION METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT 64 m ϕ = S; λ = E 21 November 21 January 28 May - 16 July

7 1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS JANUARY 2001 MIRNY OBSERVATORY Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) January 2001 Anomaly Normalized Relative Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa ,9 963,8-4 -1,2 Air temperature, C -1,5 6,5-8,1 0,1 0,1 Relative humidity, % 82 11,6 2,5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,7-0,3-0,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,5 0,4 0,3 Precipitation, mm 42,2 26,7 1,8 2,7 Mean wind speed, m/s 7,1 8,2-0,7-0,6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m ,4-0,1 1,0 Total ozone content, DU Isobaric surface, P, hpa Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Isobaric surface height, H m Temperature, T C Dew point deficit, D C Resulting wind direction, deg Resulting wind speed, m/s Wind stability parameter Number of days without temperature data January 2001 Number of days without wind data ,6 4, ,1 5, , , ,1 6, ,8 5, , ,4 9, , ,9 12, ,2 13, ,3 14,

8 ,1 17, ,8 20, Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature January 2001 P, hpa Н-Н avg, m (Н-H avg )/σ Н Т-Т avg, С (Т-Т avg )/σ Т ,8 0,1 0, ,8-0,8-0, ,9-0,2-0, ,7 0,3 0, ,6 1,5 1, ,3 0,5 0, ,3-0,5-0, ,5-1,7-1, ,8-1,4-1, ,0-0,5-0, ,1-1,3-1, ,3-1,5-1, ,7-1,1-0,4 NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) January 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa 987,7 999,9 977,2-3,9-1,1 Air temperature, C -0,7 4,2-7,3-0,3-0,3 Relative humidity, % 55-2,1-0,5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8 2 1,8 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,5 0,9 0,9 Precipitation, mm 1,2-1,6-0,2 0,4 Mean wind speed, m/s 6,7 19 0,1 0,1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m ,0-1,3 0,9

9 Isobaric surface, P, hpa Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Isobaric surface height, H m Temperature, T C Dew point deficit, D C Resulting wind direction, deg Resulting wind speed, m/s Wind stability parameter Number of days without temperature data January 2001 Number of days without wind data ,5 7, ,7 6, ,1 5, , , , , ,3 9, , ,7 12, ,9 13, ,2 14, , ,4 17, Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature January 2001 P, hpa Н-Н avg, m (Н-H avg )/σ Н Т-Т avg, С (Т-Т avg )/σ Т ,9-0,8-0, ,9-1,4-1, ,3-2,2-1, ,4-2,1-1, ,5-1,2-1, ,6-1,1-0, ,8-1,3-1, ,0-0,8-0, ,6-0,1-0, ,0 0,2 0, ,3 0,0 0, ,5 0,0 0, ,5 0,9 0,4

10 BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) January 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa 988,9 1002,5 971,2-4 -1,5 Air temperature, C 1,3 5,9-3,3 0,1 0,2 Relative humidity, % 89 3,4 0,8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9,2 0 0,0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 7,7 0 0,0 Precipitation, mm 73,3 33,4 2,4 1,8 Mean wind speed, m/s ,4-0,6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m ,9-0,6 0,9 VOSTOK STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) January 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Station surface level pressure, hpa 632,9 639, ,7-0,4 Air temperature, C -31, ,5 0,6 0,4 Relative humidity, % 65-7,9-1,6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3,5-0,4-0,5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0-0,4-0,7 Precipitation, mm 0-0,9-1,0 0,0 Mean wind speed, m/s 3,6 7-0,9-1,1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m ,3 4,3 1,2 Total ozone content, DU

11 J a n u a r y Mean sea level pressure, hpa (Vostok st.data - pressure at station surface level) ,7 988,9 632,9 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -1,2-1,1-1,5-0,4 Air temperature, C ,3-1,5-0,7 Mirny Novolaz Bellings -31,4 Vostok (f-f avg )/σf 0,1-0,3 0,2 0, Relative humidity, %% Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Molodezh Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf 2,5-0,5 0,8-1, Total cloudiness, tenths 9,3 6,7 8 9,2 5,9 6,7 8 9,2 7,2 5,5 3,5 3,5 2,1 Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Molodezh Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -0,3 1,8 0,0-0,5 Precipitation, mm , ,3 42,2 42,2 52,4 9,7 1,2 3,8 1,2 0 1,8 0 Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Molodezh Vostok Vostok f/f avg 2,7 0,4 1,8 0, Mean wind speed, m/s 8,8 7,9 7,1 7 7,1 6,7 3,4 6, ,6 3,6 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Molodezh Vostok Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -0,6 0,1-0,6-1,1 Fig Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations, January 2001.

12 FEBRUARY 2001 MIRNY OBSERVATORY Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) February 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa 995,4 1004,8 968,9 6,8 2,1 Air temperature, 0 C -5,6 4, ,4-0,4 Relative humidity, % 70 1,6 0,4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,3-0,4-0,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,6 0,6 0,6 Precipitation, mm 9,1-8,1-0,5 0,5 Mean wind speed, m/s 7,6 16-1,5-1,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m ,3 0,0 1,0 Total ozone content, DU Isobaric surface, P, hpa Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Isobaric surface height, H m Temperature, T 0 C Dew point deficit, D 0 C Resulting wind direction, deg Resulting wind speed, m/s Wind stability parameter February 2001 Number of days without temperature data Number of days without wind data , ,9 6, , ,3 8, ,8 5, ,3 4, ,3 4, ,5 6, ,4 8, ,6 10, ,9 11, ,5 11, ,6 12, ,6 13, ,

13 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature February 2001 P, hpa Н-Н avg, m (Н-H avg )/σ Н Т-Т avg, С (Т-Т avg )/σ Т ,8-0,4-0, ,8 2,5 2, ,2 3,6 2, ,3 2,9 2, ,8 0,4 0, ,7-2,7-2, ,4-2,4-2, ,7-3,0-3, ,2-3,0-3, ,4-3,0-3, ,0-3,4-3, ,6-3,5-2, ,1-1,3-0,9 NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) February 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa 989, ,9 0,6 0,1 Air temperature, 0 C -3,1 2,5-13,2 0,3 0,3 Relative humidity, % 49-0,4-0,1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,1 1,8 1,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,5 1,2 1,7 Precipitation, mm 2,7 0,9 0,2 1,5 Mean wind speed, m/s 9, ,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m ,0-0,7 0,9 Isobaric surface, P, hpa Isobaric surface height, H m Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Temperature, T 0 C Dew point deficit, D 0 C Resulting wind direction, deg Resulting wind speed, m/s Wind stability parameter February 2001 Number of days without temperature data Number of days without wind data ,2 9,1

14 ,9 8, , ,9 3, ,5 4, ,7 3, ,1 3, ,3 7, , ,6 11, ,2 12, ,8 13, ,1 14, ,8 15, , Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature February 2001 P, hpa Н-Н avg, m (Н-H avg )/σ Н Т-Т avg, С (Т-Т avg )/σ Т ,3-0,3-0, ,2-0,8-0, ,3-1,5-1, ,5-0,8-0, ,6 0,0 0, ,5 0,0 0, ,6-0,5-0, ,7-0,7-0, ,7-1,0-1, ,0-1,1-1, ,2-1,0-0, ,2-0,5-0, ,8-0,3-0,1 BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) February 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa 987,9 1006,2 967,1-1,8-0,7 Air temperature, 0 C 0,4 8,3-8,3-1 -1,4

15 Relative humidity, % 89 1,1 0,3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9,7 0,6 1,0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8,3 0,5 0,6 Precipitation, mm 60,2-6,9-0,3 0,9 Mean wind speed, m/s 8,2 23 1,3 2,6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m ,4-0,4 1,0 VOSTOK STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) February 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Station surface level pressure, hpa 631,8 640,7 622,2 2,1 0,5 Air temperature, 0 C -43,1-29,8-64,7 1,3 0,8 Relative humidity, % 65-6,7-1,3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 2,3-1,3-1,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0 0 0,0 Precipitation, mm 0-0,8-1,1 0,0 Mean wind speed, m/s 1,5 8-3,5-3,9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m ,4 0,0 1,0 Total ozone content, DU

16 F e b r u a r y Atmospheric Mean sea pressure level pressure,hpa at sea level, hpa (Vostok 995,4st.data 989,7 - pressure 987,9 at station surface level) ,4 989,7 987, , , Mirny Novolaz Bellings Vostok Mirny Novolaz Bellings Vostok (f-f avg )/σf 2,1 0,1-0,7 0,5 Air temperature, C C ,4 0,4-5,6-3,1-43,1-5,6-3,1-43,1 Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -0,4 0,3-1,4 0, Relative humidity, % Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf 0,4-1,0 0,3-1,3 Total cloudiness, tenths ,3 8,1 9,7 6,3 8,1 9,7 2,3 2,3 Mirny Novolaz NovolazBellingsBellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -0,7 1,6 1,0-1,6 Precipitation, mm ,2 60,2 9,1 9,1 2,7 2,7 0 0 Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok f/f avg 0,5 1,5 0,9 0,0 Mean wind speed, m/s ,6 7,6 9,1 9,1 8,2 8,2 1,5 1,5 Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -1,3 0,0 2,6-3,9 Fig Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations, February 2001.

17 11 MARCH 2001 MIRNY OBSERVATORY Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) March 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa 983,7 996,8 969,4-3,2-0,9 Air temperature, 0 C -8,8-1,4-12,8 1,3 0,9 Relative humidity, % 74 4,4 0,9 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,2-0,5-0,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,7 0,9 1,0 Precipitation, mm 36,2 6,6 0,2 1,2 Mean wind speed, m/s 10,6 27-0,4-0,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m ,4 0,0 1,0 Total ozone content, DU Isobaric surface, P, hpa Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Isobaric surface height, H m Temperature, T 0 C Dew point deficit, D 0 C ,1 4,4 Resulting wind direction, deg Resulting wind speed, m/s Wind stability parameter Number of days without temperature data March 2001 Number of days without wind data ,9 5, , ,5 6, ,8 6, ,9 5, ,2 5, ,7 7, ,9 9, , ,3 11, ,6 11, , ,2 13, ,

18 11 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature March 2001 P, hpa Н-Н avg, m (Н-H avg )/σ Н Т-Т avg, С (Т-Т avg )/σ Т ,5 0,7 0, ,5 0,6 0, ,2 0,8 0, ,0 0,3 0, ,0-0,3-0, ,3 0,0 0, ,3-0,4-0, ,5-1,0-1, ,5-1,0-1, ,7-0,8-0, ,7-0,4-0, ,3 0,3 0, ,2-0,2-0,1 NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) March 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa ,1 974,1-0,2-0,1 Air temperature, 0 C ,2-0,2-0,2 Relative humidity, % 42-7,2-1,6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,8 0,5 0,5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,2 0,5 0,4 Precipitation, mm 4,7-4,2-0,2 0,5 Mean wind speed, m/s 11,5 25 0,9 0,6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m ,0 0,4 1,0 Isobaric surface, P, hpa Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Isobaric surface height, H m Temperature, T 0 C Dew point deficit, D 0 C ,6 10,7 Resulting wind direction, deg Resulting wind speed, m/s Wind stability parameter Number of days without temperature data March 2001 Number of days without wind data ,3 10, ,8 8,

19 ,1 4, ,1 4, , ,8 3, ,8 6, ,5 8, ,5 9, ,2 10, , ,3 12, , Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature March 2001 P, hpa Н-Н avg, m (Н-H avg )/σ Н Т-Т avg, С (Т-Т avg )/σ Т ,0-0,5-0, ,2-1,6-1, ,7-2,2-1, ,8-2,0-1, ,0-1,3-1, ,2-0,7-0, ,2-0,8-0, ,5-1,1-1, ,6-1,0-0, ,7-1,1-0, ,0-0,3-0, ,5-0,5-0,2 BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) March 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Sea level pressure, hpa 986,2 1005,3 966,3-4,7-1,1 Air temperature, 0 C -0,1 5,6-6,5-0,4-0,4 Relative humidity, % 92 4,7 1,4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9,6 0,6 2,0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8,6 0,8 1,0 Precipitation, mm 58-14,2-0,6 0,8 Mean wind speed, m/s 2,6 17-4,5-6,4

20 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m ,5 3,0 1,3 13 VOSTOK STATION Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from multiyear averages (f avg ) March 2001 Normalized Anomaly Parameter f mon.avg f max f min anomaly Relative f-f avg anomaly f/f avg (f-f avg )/σ f Station surface level pressure, hpa 624,6 643,9 616,6-0,4-0,1 Air temperature, 0 C -58,2-43,4-71,8-0,1 0,0 Relative humidity, % 60-9,2-1,8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4,1 0,5 0,5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0-0,1-0,5 Precipitation, mm 0,5-1,7-0,6 0,2 Mean wind speed, m/s 5,2 9-0,3-0,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 247,5 Total radiation, MJ/m ,5-2,3 0,9 Total ozone content, DU - No observations were done

21 14 M a r c h Atmospheric Mean sea pressure level pressure, at sea level, hpa hpa (Vostok 983,7 st.data 986- presure 986,2 at station surface level) 983, ,2 624,6 624,6 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Vostok Mirny Novolaz Bellings Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -0,9-0,1-1,1-0, Air temperature, C C -0,1-0,1-8,8-8 -8, ,2-58,2 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf 0,9-0,2-0,4 0, Relative humidity, % Mirny Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf 0,9-1,6 1,4-1,8 Total cloudiness, tenths ,6 6,2 6,2 6,8 6,8 9,6 4,1 4,1 Mirny Mirny Novolaz NovolazBellingsBellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -0,6 0,5 2,0 0,5 Precipitation, mm , ,2 4,7 4,7 0,5 0,5 Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Vostok Vostok f/f avg 1,2 0,5 0,8 0,2 Mean wind speed, m/s ,6 11,5 10,6 11,5 5,2 2,6 2,6 5,2 Mirny Mirny Novolaz NovolazBellingsBellings Vostok Vostok (f-f avg )/σf -0,3 0,6-6,4-0,3 Fig Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations, March 2001.

22 15 2. ANOMALOUS METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2001 In January-March, small above and below zero mean monthly air temperature anomalies of less than 1σ were recorded at Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Vostok stations. At Bellingshausen in February, the anomaly comprised - 1.5σ. In the interannual temperature variations, February 2001 was the fourth in the rank of cold years at this station. The temperature conditions in January-March over the entire continent are illustrated in Fig. 2.1 that presents the absolute and normalized surface temperature anomalies at the Russian and foreign stations. For calculation of anomalies at the foreign stations, current information contained in /1/ and multiyear averages /2/ are used. In January-March, the cold center in the near-shore zone of the Atlantic coast was preserved. The core of the center was located near Halley-Bay station. In January, the temperature anomaly at Halley-Bay comprised -1.1 o C,-1.1σ. In February, the area of the cold center has decreased increasing again in March. The temperature anomalies at Halley- Bay during these months were -1.8 o C,-1.4σ and -4.1 o C,-1.6σ. Another cold center located in December in the area of the Indian Ocean coast of Antarctica has also become more active. In January, its core was noted in the Ross Sea area (an anomaly at McMurdo station was -2.2 o C,-1.7σ). In February, the core of the cold center moved to the Wilkes Land area (with anomaly at Casey station comprising -2.4 o C,- 2.4σ). In March, the cold center has decreased and its core moved to the Ross Sea area (with anomaly at McMurdo station comprising 1.3 o C,-0.4σ). In the western part of the Antarctic Peninsula near the Rothera-Point station, a pronounced small heat center was observed. The temperature anomaly here comprised 1.5 o C,1.9σ in January, 1.5 o C,1.5σ in February and 1.3 o C,0.9σ in March. An assessment of long-period changes of mean monthly temperature of the months under consideration displays a positive trend for Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations and a negative trend for Mirny station (Figs ). The sign of the trend at Vostok station is positive in January and negative for February-March. However, a statistically significant linear trend is observed only at Bellingshausen station for January and March. (Table 2.1). During the last decade, negative trends for January-March appear at Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Vostok stations. At Bellingshausen station, the trend of the monthly temperature average in January is negative and in February-March positive. A statistically significant linear trend in the last decade is recorded only at Vostok for March. Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature Table 2.1 Stations Parameter I II III I II III Novolazarevskaya, Entire observation period period о С/1 year 0,015 0,019 0,018-0,048-0,062-0,245 % Р Mirny, о С/1 year -0,021-0,001-0,009-0,208-0,164-0,005 Vostok, Bellingshausen, % р о С/1 year 0,011-0,004-0,016-0,061-0,048-0,237 % Р 95 о С/1 year 0,040 0,023 0,031-0,036 0,044 0,134 % Р Note: First line is the linear trend coefficient; Second line - dispersion explained by the linear trend;

23 16 Third line - level of significance (given if it exceeds 90%, 95% or 99 % by the Student s criterion). The atmospheric pressure in January-March at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations was characterized by alternating negative and positive anomalies from month-to-month. The largest pressure anomaly was observed in February at Mirny station (6.8 hpa (2.1σ). Such a significant positive anomaly for February is observed here for the second time over the entire observation period. At Bellingshausen, throughout January-March, a negative anomaly was constantly preserved. The atmospheric pressure trend at the Russian stations for the months under consideration continues to preserve a negative sign. The only exception is a positive trend at Bellingshausen for February and at Vostok for February-March. The amount of precipitation in January-March varies significantly depending on the station location. In Mirny, precipitation in January comprised 2.7 norms, in March 1.2 norms, at Bellingshausen in January 1.8 norms and at Novolazarevskaya in February norms. Very small precipitation was observed at the inland station Vostok. Here, in January-February, precipitation was absent at all and in March, 0.2 norms were recorded. References: Atlas of the Oceans. Southern Ocean. RF Ministry of Defense (in press).

24 15 a b Fig.2.1. Absolute anomalies (a) and normalized anomalies (b) of surface air temperature in January (I), Fabruary (II), and March (III) 2001 from data of stationary meteorological stations in the South Pole area.

25 16 Fig Interannual variations of air temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. January.

26 17 Fig Interannual variations of air temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. Fabruary.

27 18 Fig Interannual variations of air temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. March.

28 21 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES ABOVE THE ANTARCTIC IN JANUARY-MARCH 2001 An analysis of the atmospheric macroprocesses above the Southern Hemisphere during January-March 2001 reveals that some increase in the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes in January (also noted in December 2000) has changed to more active meridional circulation in February and March predominantly due to the development of the atmospheric macroprocesses of M a form. While in January the negative anomalies of the frequency of occurrence of both meridional forms (-1 day) were noted, then the positive anomalies of the frequency of occurrence of M a form comprised 2 days in February and 4 days in March. The frequency of occurrence of the meridional M b form was slightly greater than multiyear averages (1 day) both in February and in March (Table 3.1) Table 3.1 Frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms in the Southern Hemisphere and their anomalies in January-March 2001 Month Frequency of occurrence (days) Anomalies (days) Z M a M b Z M a M b January February March The formation features of mean monthly thermal pressure fields reflect a similar development of macroprocesses. In January, due to increased zonality, a center of negative pressure anomalies extended practically along the entire coast of East Antarctica. Two cores can be identified that are related to the areas of most frequent persistence of cyclones - above the Lazarev Sea and the Commonwealth and Davis Seas. The increased anticyclogenesis zones were located above the eastern Weddell Sea and the New Zealand sector of the Antarctic. The field of temperature anomalies in January was characterized by their insignificant below zero values above the Weddell Sea and above zero (up to 1.5 o ) over much of the coast of Antarctica and its inland areas. In February the background atmospheric pressure front above the Weddell Sea and East Antarctica was anomalously increased at a more active development of the meridional circulation forms. The ridges of subtropic Highs developed more often above the central areas of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and above the eastern Australian sector. The Antarctic High ridges were most active at the meridians of the Coats Land and Pravda Shore. The lows moving towards the shores of Antarctica were shallow and their activity was low. In March, the increased meridional character of the atmospheric processes above the Southern Hemisphere was preserved. The high pressure ridges were most developed above the East Atlantic, West Indian and Australian sectors. The cyclones exiting along the meridional trajectories towards the shores of Antarctica moved more frequently along the South American, South African, Kerguelen and East Australian trajectories. Compared to the summer months, the intensity of atmospheric processes has significantly increased. In March, the autumn stratospheric modification of the processes was completed. The westerly flows were established in the system of the upper circumpolar vortex. Their speeds by the end of the month achieved the criteria of jet streams. References: 1. Dydina L.A., Rabtsevich S.V., Ryzhakov L.Yu., Savitsky G.B. Atmospheric circulation forms in the Southern Hemisphere. AARI Proceedings, 1976, V. 330, p Ryzhakov L.Yu. Some characteristics of the anomalous development of atmospheric circulation forms in the Southern Hemisphere at the cold time of the year. AARI Proceedings, 1976, V. 330, p Ryzhakov L.Yu., Savitsky G.B. and Ryabkov G.Ye. Seasonal motion features of pressure formations in the Southern Hemisphere at typical atmospheric macroprocesses. SAE Proceedings, 1990, Vol. 87, p

29 22 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN IN JANUARY- MARCH 2001 FROM SATELLITE DATA AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS The Austral summer 2001 that has ended in February was again characterized by quite diverse regional ice conditions. They were to a great extent directly opposite to the ice conditions in The Atlantic ice massif was still of very low mobility. However, it occupied the central western position with its northern boundary reaching the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and the southern 75 o S (i.e., the massif was detached from the south coast of the Weddell Sea) and the eastern boundary passing everywhere along 40 o W. An extensive tongue of close ice elongating eastward from the massif core up to 35 o W, was steadily preserved in the area of 70 o S. An anomalous increased development of polynya in Prydz Bay has determined a complete ice clearance not only of the Commonwealth Sea in general (between 60 and 70 o E in Table 4.1), but also a minimum possible ice cover extent in the adjoining eastern part of the Cosmonauts Sea. A similar anomalous early and rapid destruction of local landfast ice during the second half of January-first half of February contributed to this. The landfast ice breakup in the vicinity of Progress station was of the same character (Table 4.2). On the contrary, in the Davis, Mawson and western Cosmonauts Seas, a belt of drifting ice was preserved although it was not greater by area than its mean multiyear size but it was distinguished by the maximum 10 tenth concentration. In March, it has sharply increased due to a delayed breakup of large landfast ice segments preserved from the last year. In this respect, an example of the coastal area of Treshnikov Bay in the vicinity of Mirny Observatory is quite indicative. The delay in respect of the final landfast ice decay and its export occurring on February 20 and March 3, respectively, was about a fortnight compared to mean multiyear dates. The Balleny ice massif occupied an extremely western position with ice from its northern periphery located near 65 o S constantly extending westward. This ice band with an average width of about 30 miles has prevented a typical complete clearance of the main area of the Dumont D Urville Sea in January-February (see 140 o E in Table 4.1). In March, new ice formation began everywhere being in general rather slow. Thus, in the area of Mirny Observatory, at the first appearance of grease ice on the typical date of March 10 (Table 4.2), an exceptionally rare here interruption in ice formation was recorded afterwards on March due to a warming of up to 2 o C. Table 4.1 Latitudinal location of the external northern edge of the drifting ice belt in the Southern Ocean based on satellite data of Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations in February 2001 Meridians Actual. Multiyear average (norm) 40º W 67.8 S 69.3 S 30ºW ºW º W º º E ºE ºE ºE ºE ºE ºE ºE ºE ºE ºE

30 23 120ºE ºE ºE ºE ºE º E 71.1 S 71.1 S Note: 1 clear, no ice instead of the ice edge position, latitude of the Antarctic coast point at its crossover with the corresponding meridian is given Dates of the main ice phases in the areas of Russian Antarctic stations in 2001 Table 4.2 Station (water body) Mirny (roadstead) Landfast ice breakup Ice clearance Ice formation Start End First Final First Stable Actual NO Norm NO Progress Actual NO NO (Vostochnaya Bay) Norm NO NO Bellingshausen (Ardley Bay) Clear from September 18, 2000 Note: 1 Phenomenon not observed 2 Dates are approximate and will be further updated.

31 24 5. TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT MIRNY AND VOSTOK STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2001 Regular measurements of the total ozone at Mirny station continued during the entire first quarter of Measurements at Vostok station were finished on February 26 due to low Sun's altitudes. Similar to several preceding years, monthly TO averages in Mirny in January-March were less than the averages calculated for the entire observation period. However, a monthly TO average in January (290 Dobson units) was higher than in the previous year. In January 2001, there were no such sharp oscillations of daily values as in Monthly TO averages in February (276 Dobson units) and March (286 Dobson units) were less than in the previous year. As can be seen from Fig. 5.1, a decrease of total ozone was observed above Mirny up to mid-february with a minimum value (256 Dobson units) recorded on February 13. Throughout March, there were quite significant from dayto-day TO oscillations Total ozone (DU) /1 11/1 21/1 31/1 10/2 20/2 1/3 11/3 21/3 31/3 Date Fig Daily total ozone averages at Mirny (1) and Vostok (2) stations in January-March 2001 At Vostok station similar to Mirny, a decrease in the ozone level was observed during January and the first half of February. A monthly TO average in January (281 Dobson units) was higher than in the preceding year and in February, a monthly TO average (261 Dobson units) was the least monthly average for February measured at this station. It should be reminded that the total ozone measurements at Vostok were not conducted during every wintering over unlike Mirny Observatory. In general, the total ozone level above Mirny and Vostok stations during the January-March 2001 was quite stable.

32 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2001 DATA OF ONGOING OBSERVATIONS MIRNY OBSERVATORY Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values January February March Declination 'W 'W 'W Horizontal component nt nt nt Vertical component nt nt nt Mirny, January Аmax,dB Mirny, February Аmax, db

33 Mirny, March Аmax, db Fig Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations in Mirny Observatory. VOSTOK Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values January February March Declination 'W 'W 'W Horizontal component nt nt nt Vertical component nt nt nt Vostok, February Аmax, db

34 Vostok, March Аmax, db Fig Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations in Vostok station.data for January were not prepared due to the change of riometer processing algoritm (digital). DATE PC-INDEX Vostok January, UT UT min. Values Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute. Russia Fig. 6.3.

35 0 DATE Vostok PC-INDEX February, UT UT min. Values Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute. Russia Fig. 6.4.

36 0 PC-INDEX Vostok March, 2001 DATE UT UT min.Values Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute. Russia Fig. 6.5.

37 7. A DEFINITIVE MONTHLY SURFACE TEMPERATURE SERIES FOR BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION, ANTARCTICA G.J. Marshall, V.Ye. Lagun Introduction The western Antarctic Peninsula has experienced a marked warming since meteorological observations began there in the 1940s / 7 /, and the coincident regional southward migration of the -5 C isotherm, the empirical limit of iceshelf viability, has resulted in the disintegration of several of the region s ice shelves / 19 /. This warming trend is the largest seen in the Southern Hemisphere over the last 50 years /3/ and, with a decreasing magnitude, extends northwards into South America until ~45 S / 4 /. Meteorological data from the Antarctic are generally sparse, but are most dense in the Peninsula because of the large number of bases operating in this relatively accessible region of the continent. Unfortunately, many of these surface temperature time series are discontinuous, not easily accessible or too short to ascertain whether significant change has taken place. Therefore, it is especially important that the few regional time series suitable for climate change studies are as accurate as possible in order to establish precisely the spatial extent, magnitude and statistical significance of the regional warming. One such time series is that from the Russian station Bellingshausen (62 12 S, W, 15,8 m), situated on the Fildes Peninsula on the southwestern tip of King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands. Meteorological observations began there in February 1968 and have continued without significant interruption until the present day. However, a comparison of the Bellingshausen monthly surface temperature dataset from four separate sources on the World Wide Web revealed that significant inconsistencies existed between them. Some of these were simply due to numbers that had been written incorrectly ѕ a minus sign had been missed or two digits had been transposed ѕ but there were also a significant number of other data points where such a simple explanation could not account for the observed differences. Furthermore, it was found that there were several different versions of the monthly mean dataset held at the Arctic and Antarctic Institute itself / 1 /. As a consequence it was decided that in order to produce a definitive monthly dataset it was necessary to return to the individual synoptic observations. Derivation of the new surface temperature time series Bellingshausen surface temperatures measurements are and have been recorded at the main synoptic hours (00, 06, 12 and 18Z), with the exception of the period March-December 1991 when 3-hourly data were acquired. The monthly means used in this new definitive dataset are derived from all available observations. The new monthly surface temperature series, from March 1968 to April 2001 is shown in Appendix 7.1. Note that when the new data were compared against the station CLIMAT messages (monthly averages of observed variables sent to the Global Telecommunication System) two types of error were revealed in the surface temperature component of a small percentage of the latter: (i) an error in the sign of the temperature; and (ii) an order of magnitude error in the temperature. These are potentially significant as many Antarctic temperature series are necessarily based on CLIMAT data if the associated national meteorological agency does not make the data available through other means. For completeness, Appendix 7.1 also includes (in italics) the synthetic surface temperature data for Bellingshausen proposed by Jones and Limbert / 6 / for the period from 1944 to February These comprise modified data from other stations (see Jones and Limbert (1987) for details), most notably Deception Island (62 59 S, W) minus 0.3 C. The Deception Island records ended in December 1967, so the value of 0.3 C was derived by comparing separately Bellingshausen and Deception Island to Peninsula temperature records that overlapped the period of operation of both these stations (D.W.S. Limbert, personal communication, 2000). Thus these early data should be viewed as tentative estimates at best: for example, Jones and Limbert (1987) produced a figure of 0.0 C for March 1968 while the observed Bellingshausen value was -0.4 C. Brief statistical analysis In this section a simple assessment of the Bellingshausen temperature series ( ) is undertaken, deriving some of the basic statistical parameters that may be of most use to those interested in the new data set. Seasons refer to those in the Southern Hemisphere. The annual cycle in temperature is shown in Fig. 7.1; monthly means, inter-annual standard deviations and ranges are illustrated. Note the significant increase in interannual temperature variability between summer and winter, for example the standard deviation ranges from 0.5 C in December to 3.2 C in July. Mean Bellingshausen temperature for this period was 2.4 C (see also Table 7.1).

38 39 Fig. 7.1 Monthly surface temperature statistics for Bellingshausen station, The graph shows the mean (dots), inter-annual standard deviation (boxes), and range (error bars). Mean annual temperature data and the resultant linear trend are shown in Fig The latter demonstrates an increase in the annual surface temperature at Bellingshausen, equivalent to a warming of just over 1 C for the 33-year period of data. The significance of this linear trend is calculated using the methodology outlined by / 11 /, accounting for the effects of autocorrelation by calculating the number of effectively independent samples (neff) for use in the subsequent student's t-test for significance (rather than the number of samples themselves). However, when calculating the temporal trend of a single variable the predictor value, time, is not random: therefore, when the time between independent samples is computed each of the two independent time series are replaced by the residuals of the regression equation (e.g. Smith and others 1996). Confidence intervals for the trends are calculated at the 95% level (see Section in / 20 /) with the degrees of freedom based on neff. Despite the shortness of the Bellingshausen time series (neff < 16), the observed warming in mean annual surface temperature is statistically significant at the 10% level (see Table 7.2). The annual cycle of monthly surface temperature trends, together with the 95% confidence intervals, are illustrated in Table 7.2. Although the largest trends are in the winter months, those that are statistically significant are the smaller warming trends in summer and early autumn (with the exception of August), reflecting the reduced inter-annual variability at this time of year. Note the cooling trends in spring and the rapid change between the most positive and negative monthly trends from August to September. The August warming is related to a reduction in mean sea level pressure (MSLP) and the associated increase in northerly flow and resultant «capping» of sea ice extent in the Bellingshausen Sea west of the Peninsula, a variable that is strongly correlated with Peninsula temperatures for much of the year /7/. Opposite effects have occurred in September. The semiannual cycle (SAO) is a twice-annual contraction/expansion of the circumpolar trough caused by the differing temperature cycles of the Antarctic continent and Southern Ocean: between August and September the SAO contracts causing a regional MSLP decrease, so the relative change in MSLP between the two months is therefore associated with a weakening of the SAO. This is known to have occurred since ~1975 / 5 /, contemporaneous with most of the Bellingshausen data set. Recently, van den Broeke / / has proposed that the Antarctic Peninsula warming itself results principally from such decadal changes in the SAO.