A review of the climate of Mawson – a representative strong wind site in East Antarctica

An analysis is made of the climate of the Australian Antarctic station Mawson (67.6°S, 62.9°E) and its hinterland in the light of 30 years of observations and of previous investigations. Data are presented on free atmosphere temperature and wind structure, the synoptic meteorology of the region, sol...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic Science
Main Author: Streten, N.A.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1990
Subjects:
Geology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Oceanography
Antarctic
Southern Ocean
East Antarctica
Antarc*
Antarctic Science
Antarctica
Ice cap
Sea ice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102090000098
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102090000098
Description
Summary:An analysis is made of the climate of the Australian Antarctic station Mawson (67.6°S, 62.9°E) and its hinterland in the light of 30 years of observations and of previous investigations. Data are presented on free atmosphere temperature and wind structure, the synoptic meteorology of the region, solar radiation, surface temperature, sea ice, wind and weather. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics of the shallow south easterly katabatic winds averaging 11.1 m s −1 throughout the year and the frequent periods of intense gale associated with the effects of major Southern Ocean depressions. The climate of Mawson is believed to be typical of much of the coast of East Antarctica in regions where the ice-cap falls steeply to sea level.

Similar Items