Diurnal Freeze-Thaw Frequencies in Selected Regions of the High Latitudes

• Main Author: Wexler, Ruth L.
• Other Authors: ARMY ENGINEER TOPOGRAPHIC LABS FORT BELVOIR VA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1984
• Subjects: Meteorology; *ARCTIC REGIONS; FREEZING; CLIMATE; THAWING; STATISTICAL ANALYSIS; DIURNAL VARIATIONS; WEST GERMANY; PE61102A; WU001; Arctic; Greenland; Iceland; Alaska; Siberia
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA147276; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA147276

The purpose of this study is to provide information on the incidence of daily freezing conditions, i.e., frost days (min < or = O C), and freeze-thaw days (min < or = 0 C max > O C), per month or year throughout Alaska, Eastern Siberia, Iceland, and Greenland. Tables are provided of the above parameters. In addition, linear regression equations were developed for each area for deriving the above information from ordinary climatic data. Station models of percent days per month with freeze-thaw throughout the year are also given for a range of climates in the regions indicated as well as for several German stations representing a range of elevation. Another set of models shows that the percent freeze-thaw per month could be expressed as a function of mean monthly temperature. The constants for the latter (sine) function reflect the continentality of the station. The various models presented demonstrate the relationship between daily freezing conditions and the temperature regime. The results should improve understanding of periglacial activity and provide a means of predicting possible climatic effects on the construction of buildings roads, and airport runways.