Measurements of drifting and blowing snow at Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada during the star project

Gordon, Mark; Biswas, Sumita; Taylor, Peter A.; Hanesiak, John; Albarran‐Melzer, Marna; Fargey, Shannon Elizabeth

doi:10.3137/ao1105.2010

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The electric field strength fluctuated, reaching þ30 kV m À1 at a height of 4 cm above the snow surface and increasing towards the surface of the snowpack. More recent measurements were provided in February 2008 during an Arctic blizzard in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, by Gordon et al; [46] the measured electric field strength was 26.2 kV m À1 at a height of 0.5 m, which corresponded to model predictions given by the same authors. [47] According to Dunin, [39] when the electric field strength achieves the value 10 kV m À1 electric energy starts to dissipate through corona discharges that most likely occur on sharp edges where electric field gradients have maximum values.…”

Section: Triboelectrification Mechanismsupporting

confidence: 55%

Possible contribution of triboelectricity to snow - air interactions

Tkachenko¹,

Kozachkov²

2012

Environ. Chem.

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Environmental context. Polar near-surface snow can act as a chemical reactor that alters the composition and chemistry of snow and the overlying air. Although the mechanisms and driving forces of these reactions have long been debated, triboelectrification (production of electrostatic charges by friction) of snow by wind has not yet been considered as a factor. It is proposed that in polar regions, triboelectrification could significantly influence the composition and chemistry of snow.Abstract. Reactions that proceed in polar snow cover may significantly affect the chemistry of the overlying atmosphere, but mechanisms and driving forces of these reactions are still under discussion. The proposed hypothesis attempts to explain some experimental data that cannot be fully understood (e.g. the effect of wind on OH radicals, ozone and persistent organic pollutants levels) by taking into account the influence of electrical phenomena on the snow surface. We assumed that a combination of such factors as low humidity, high wind speed and low temperatures makes the influence of triboelectrification of snow significant for polar areas, where purity and the depth of snow cover prevent fast charge dissipation. The major points of the hypothesis are: (1) when the electric field reaches a value sufficient for the onset of corona discharge, various free radical processes are initiated resulting in changes in the concentrations of ozone, OH radical, nitrate, etc., and the decomposition of pollutant molecules; (2) the high electric field can stimulate transport of ions (such as bromide and nitrate) from the condensed phase to the gas phase; and (3) the ageing of charged snow can increase its electrical potential.

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Section: Triboelectrification Mechanismsupporting

confidence: 55%

Possible contribution of triboelectricity to snow - air interactions

Tkachenko¹,

Kozachkov²

2012

Environ. Chem.

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“…A 15% variation between the input section and the wind direction may lead to a 25% reduction in collector efficiency (Nickling and McKenna Neuman, 1997). For nets, the efficiency appears to depend on the sensor height above the ground (Font et al, 1998), the wind speed (Kobayashi, 1980), and the time that the sensor is exposed to the wind (Gordon et al, 2010). Indeed, snow particles may sublimate in the net, since nets are not protected from the wind or solar radiation.…”

Section: Measuring Aeolian Snow Transport: a Reviewmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The most notable one is the orientation to the wind direction in association with a smaller device placed vertically such as the rocket trap (Budd, 1966;Dingle and Radok, 1961;Takahashi, 1985). On the other hand, nets do not require the air to be decelerated for the snow to be collected: the air enters the net in which snow particles are blocked and then freely passes through it (Gordon et al, 2010;Takeuchi, 1980). The key point is the mesh, which should be fine enough to collect very small particles and large enough to reduce its resistance to the wind.…”

Section: Measuring Aeolian Snow Transport: a Reviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

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A novel experimental study of aeolian snow transport in Adelie Land (Antarctica)

Trouvilliez

Naaim-Bouvet

Genthon

et al. 2014

Cold Regions Science and Technology

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“…Further, as we will show, the northeasterly high wind events are frequently accompanied by a hydraulic jump in the vicinity of Iqaluit, increasing the potential for significant turbulence and wind shifts which are of concern for aviation (Hudson et al, 2001). Furthermore, for wind speeds exceeding 30 kn, the likelihood of reduced visibility from blowing snow increases significantly (Gordon et al, 2010), thereby further increasing the impact of the strong wind events.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Structure and predictive skill of strong northeasterly wind events using a limited area numerical weather prediction model at Iqaluit, Canada

Hanesiak¹,

Brimelow²,

Zadra

et al. 2013

Tellus A: Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography

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Strong northeasterly wind events are infrequent over Baffin Island, but are potentially hazardous for aviation and the local community of Iqaluit (the capital of Nunavut, Canada). Three strong northeasterly wind events in this region are examined in this study, using the Canadian Global Environmental Multiscale-Limited Area Model (GEM-LAM) with a horizontal grid spacing of 2.5 km; in-situ observations; and reanalysis data. The skill of the GEM-LAM in simulating these events is examined. With the exception of one event, the GEM-LAM was successful at predicting the large-scale flow in terms of the circulation pattern, timing of the synoptic set-up and the low-level flow over the Hall Peninsula. The onset and cessation of strong winds and timing of major wind shifts was typically well handled by the model to within ~3 h, but with a tendency to underestimate the peak wind speed. The skill of the surface wind forecasts at Iqaluit is critically dependent on the predicted timing and location of the hydraulic jump and the grid point selected to represent Iqaluit. Examination of the observed and modelled data suggest that the strong northeasterly wind events have several features in common: (1) strong gradient-driven flow across the Hall Peninsula, (2) mean-state critical layer (or reverse shear) over the Hall Peninsula, (3) a low-level inversion, typically above the maximum barrier height immediately upstream of the Hall Peninsula, (4) subcritical flow, typically present upstream of the Hall Peninsula and (5) a hydraulic jump in the vicinity of Frobisher Bay. The modelled atmospheric conditions upwind of the Hall Peninsula immediately prior to the formation of the hydraulic jump (and acceleration of winds over the lee slope) are largely consistent with the prediction of propagating hydraulic jumps presented in the literature

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Measurements of drifting and blowing snow at Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada during the star project

Cited by 20 publications

References 32 publications

Possible contribution of triboelectricity to snow - air interactions

Possible contribution of triboelectricity to snow - air interactions

A novel experimental study of aeolian snow transport in Adelie Land (Antarctica)

Structure and predictive skill of strong northeasterly wind events using a limited area numerical weather prediction model at Iqaluit, Canada

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