Effects of Spring Breakup on Microscale Air Temperatures in the Mackenzie River Delta

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Author: Hirst, Stanley M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1984
• Subjects: Atmospheric temperature; Breakup; Effects of ice on climate; Energy budgets; Microclimatology; River ice; Mackenzie Delta; N.W.T; Mackenzie River; Fleuve Mackenzie; Arctic; Mackenzie river
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/65251

The effects of spring breakup on microscale air temperatures in the Mackenzie River delta were investigated by means of intervention analysis. Small but statistically significant increases in temperatures were detected for some areas within the delta and appeared to be related to ice breakup events in nearby channels and lake systems. The magnitude of the temperature increase appeared to be correlated with the severity of winter conditions preceding breakup and with the rate at which breakup progressed. The relative importance of changes in surface albedo and river heat input in causing air temperature rises is discussed. Temperature increases due to breakup are small in comparison to seasonal warming trends and diurnal temperature fluctuations.Key words: Mackenzie River, delta, breakup, climate, air temperature, intervention analysis, time-series Mots clés: Fleuve Mackenzie, delta, débâcle, climat, température de l'air, analyse d'intervention, séries chronologiques