Spatial and temporal trends of surface-based temperature inversion impact on permafrost distribution

• Main Authors: Noad, Nicholas Craig, University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
• Other Authors: Bonnaventure, Philip
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Geography and Environment 2021
• Subjects: permafrost; surface based temperature inversions; climate change; high latitude mountainous regions; Permafrost > Yukon; Climatic changes > Yukon; Valleys > Yukon; Mountains > Yukon; Global temperature changes > Environmental aspects > Arctic regions; Temperature inversions > Yukon; Earth temperature > Yukon; Dissertations; Academic; Arctic; Canada; Yukon; Climate change
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10133/6082

Preliminary findings from previous research in northwestern Canada suggest that surface-based temperature inversions (SBIs) have an influence on permafrost. The aim of this thesis was to quantify and discuss this impact of SBIs on a regional and local valley-to-valley scale. A new SBI characteristic called inversion impact (Iimp) was created to quantify and conceptualize the degree of impact SBIs had on surface air temperatures. Iimp was observed to be significant (≤5.8 °C) on annual average at each of the five sites within the region that had archived radiosonde data available. Significant influence of SBIs on permafrost distribution was observed in two near proximity dissimilar northcentral Yukon valleys using in-situ sensors. Overall, this study highlighted an interaction between SBIs and the state of permafrost that varied both spatially and temporally. This signifies a need to include the influence of SBIs when modelling current and future permafrost distribution in this region. NSERC Graduate Scholarships-Master's program NSERC Discovery Grant Program Northern Scientific Training Program