Case Studies of High Wind Events in Barrow, Alaska: Climatological Context and Development Processes

Lynch, A. H.; Cassano, Elizabeth N.; Cassano, John J.; Lestak, L. R.

doi:10.1175/1520-0493(2003)131<0719:csohwe>2.0.co;2

Cited by 29 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…These processes coupled with sea ice extent interact to govern how eVective storms are upon on coastline habitats through both Xooding and erosion (Lynch et al 2004). Analysis of records from Barrow, AK in our study, along with more detailed analysis by Lynch et al (2003), indicates both an increase in the frequency and magnitude of eVective storms (Fig. 5).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 50%

“…Our analysis from Barrow, however, places this westerly event as relatively minor, further underscoring the variability in storm system behavior along the ACP coastline. Major storms impacted Barrow in 1963 and 2000 (Lynch et al 2003) and it is uncertain to what degree these impacted the TLSA, although we note a number of lake Xooding events in 2000 (Fig. 4).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Still, this chronology suggests that recent Xooding of Lake 125, a large oriented thaw lake known to support molting brant, occurred between 2000 and 2002, along with three other small lakes and ponds. The Barrow storm record shows very strong westerly storms in August 2000 (Lynch et al 2003) and October 2002 (Fig. 5), which may have been responsible for Xooding of these lakes.…”

Section: Aquatic Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Two mechanisms of aquatic and terrestrial habitat change along an Alaskan Arctic coastline

et al. 2010

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Arctic habitats at the interface between land and sea are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The northern Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (N-TLSA), a coastal plain ecosystem along the Beaufort Sea in northern Alaska, provides habitat for migratory waterbirds, caribou, and potentially, denning polar bears. The 60-km coastline of N-TLSA is experiencing increasing rates of coastline erosion and storm surge Xooding far inland resulting in lake drainage and conversion of freshwater lakes to estuaries. These physical mechanisms are aVecting upland tundra as well. To better understand how these processes are aVecting habitat, we analyzed long-term observational records coupled with recent short-term monitoring. Nearly the entire coastline has accelerating rates of erosion ranging from 6 m/year from 1955 to 1979 and most recently peaking at 17

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 50%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Aquatic Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Two mechanisms of aquatic and terrestrial habitat change along an Alaskan Arctic coastline

et al. 2010

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“…However, while several such events that were extreme enough to cause significant damage have occurred (e.g. Lynch et al 2003), these are not typical patterns in this area. From earlier Arctic climatologies (Keegan 1958, Reed & Kunkel 1960, Moritz 1979, LeDrew 1983 to more current ones (Serreze et al 1993, Brümmer et al 2000, McCabe et al 2001, the Beaufort/Chukchi sector of the Arctic (Fig.…”

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confidence: 98%

Classification of synoptic patterns in the western Arctic associated with extreme events at Barrow, Alaska, USA

Cassano¹,

Lynch²,

Cassano³

et al. 2006

Clim. Res.

103

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The coastal geography of Barrow, Alaska, makes the city vulnerable to weather events that cause flooding and erosion. This study uses the self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm, an unsupervised learning process that codifies large, multivariate datasets onto a 2-dimensional array, or map, to study large-scale circulation patterns associated with temperature and high wind extremes at Barrow. The analysis first uses the SOM algorithm to produce an automated 55 yr synoptic climatology of daily sea level pressure patterns for the western Arctic for August to November, when the area is potentially ice free. The results are in agreement with previous Arctic climatologies, showing the Aleutian Low to be dominant in southern Alaska, and high pressure prevalent over the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The SOM algorithm is then used to study circulation patterns associated with temperature and high wind extremes at Barrow. These results show that high winds are associated with patterns containing a strong pressure gradient between the Aleutian Low and the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and also with patterns that contain a low pressure system to the north of Barrow. High (low) air temperature extreme anomalies are associated with patterns that produce strong, southerly (northerly) air flow at Barrow. This study demonstrates the utility of using SOMs to investigate the relationship between local weather conditions and large-scale patterns. This approach can be applied to future global climate model (GCM) simulations to investigate the impact of changes in large-scale circulation patterns to local extreme events.KEY WORDS: Synoptic climatology · Self-organizing maps · SOM · Large-scale circulation · Extreme events Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherClim Res 30: [83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97] 2006 Barrow is located on the west shore of Point Barrow. Atmospheric and sea ice conditions that can lead to storm surge via Ekman transport and wave setup are caused by synoptic weather patterns that produce high, sustained westerly winds coupled with large fetch (open water or low sea ice concentration in the direction of the wind). In general, these weather patterns consist of a synoptic or mesoscale low pressure system to the north of Barrow and/or a high pressure system to the south. However, while several such events that were extreme enough to cause significant damage have occurred (e.g. Lynch et al. 2003), these are not typical patterns in this area. From earlier Arctic climatologies (Keegan 1958, Reed & Kunkel 1960, Moritz 1979, LeDrew 1983 to more current ones (Serreze et al. 1993, Brümmer et al. 2000, McCabe et al. 2001, the Beaufort/Chukchi sector of the Arctic (Fig. 1) does not exhibit much cyclonic activity, and in fact the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas are an area of frequent anticyclones. These anticyclones, coupled with low pressure in southern Alaska, result in prevailing ENE winds of about 5 m s -1 at Barrow (Moritz 1979).The basic aim of synoptic c...

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“…The question is whether the location and concentration of the sea-ice cover influence the tracks of storms in this region, or vice versa. The sea-ice cover does not appear to influence strongly either the intensity or the tracks of deep lowpressure systems in the western Arctic (Maslanik et al, 1996;Lynch et al, 2002). Rather, the low-pressure systems influence the sea-ice cover.…”

Section: The Larger Contextmentioning

confidence: 87%

An Arctic Disaster and its Policy Implications

Brunner

Lynch²,

Pardikes³

et al. 2004

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. The purpose of the research reported here is to help the community in Barrow, Alaska, clarify its vulnerability to extreme weather events, and devise better-informed policies for reducing that vulnerability and adapting to climate variability and change. We examine the worst disaster on record there-a storm that struck on 3 October 1963-from different disciplinary perspectives and in the context of other severe storms. The major policy responses to date have been a beach nourishment program, a feasibility study of additional means of erosion control, and an emergency management plan. Additional possible responses have been identified in the community's cumulative experience of these storms, but have not yet been fully explored or implemented. Meanwhile, given inherent uncertainties, it is clear that sound policies will allow for corrective action if and when expectations based on the best available knowledge and information turn out to be mistaken. It is also clear that the people of Barrow are in the best position to understand the evolving situation and to decide what to do about it.Key words: policy, disaster, extreme events, adaptation, climate change, Barrow, North Slope RÉSUMÉ. Les travaux de recherche que l'on présente ici ont pour but d'aider la collectivité de Barrow (Alaska) à définir son degré de vulnérabilité à des conditions climatiques extrêmes, et à créer des politiques plus éclairées qui réduiraient cette vulnérabilité et favoriseraient l'adaptation à la variabilité et au changement climatiques. On examine le pire désastre jamais enregistré à cet endroit, soit une tempête qui fit rage le 3 octobre 1963, et ce, sous l'angle de différentes disciplines et dans le contexte d'autres grandes tempêtes. Jusqu'à présent, les politiques majeures d'intervention se sont résumées à un programme de recharge de plage, à une étude de faisabilité portant sur des mesures supplémentaires de lutte contre l'érosion et à un plan de gestion des situations d'urgence. L'expérience cumulative de la collectivité relative à ces tempêtes a permis de dégager d'autres interventions possibles, sans qu'elles aient toutefois été explorées à fond ou concrétisées. Entre-temps, vu les incertitudes inhérentes à ce genre de choses, il est évident que des politiques bien pensées permettront l'application de mesures correctives si et quand les prédictions fondées sur les toutes dernières connaissances et informations disponibles s'avèrent erronées. Il est en outre évident que les habitants de Barrow sont les mieux placés pour comprendre comment la situation évolue et pour décider des mesures à prendre.Mots clés: politique, désastre, événement météorologique extrême, adaptation, changement climatique, Barrow, versant Nord Traduit pour la revue Arctic par Nésida Loyer.

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Case Studies of High Wind Events in Barrow, Alaska: Climatological Context and Development Processes

Cited by 29 publications

References 40 publications

Two mechanisms of aquatic and terrestrial habitat change along an Alaskan Arctic coastline

Two mechanisms of aquatic and terrestrial habitat change along an Alaskan Arctic coastline

Classification of synoptic patterns in the western Arctic associated with extreme events at Barrow, Alaska, USA

An Arctic Disaster and its Policy Implications

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