On the extraordinary katabatic winds of Adélie Land

Wendler, Gerd; Stearns, Charles R.; Weidner, George A.; Dargaud, Guillaume; Parish, Thomas R.

doi:10.1029/96jd03438

Cited by 71 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…AWS observations of foehn events in the MDVs are not consistent with observations of katabatic winds elsewhere in Antarctica (e.g., Wendler et al 1997;Davolio and Buzzi 2002;Renfrew and Anderson 2006). Cross sections and trajectory analyses from the AMPS 2.2-km-grid domain FIG.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Foehn Winds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: The Origin of Extreme Warming Events*

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Foehn winds resulting from topographic modification of airflow in the lee of mountain barriers are frequently experienced in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) of Antarctica. Strong foehn winds in the MDVs cause dramatic warming at onset and have significant effects on landscape forming processes; however, no detailed scientific investigation of foehn in the MDVs has been conducted. As a result, they are often misinterpreted as adiabatically warmed katabatic winds draining from the polar plateau. Herein observations from surface weather stations and numerical model output from the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) during foehn events in the MDVs are presented. Results show that foehn winds in the MDVs are caused by topographic modification of south-southwesterly airflow, which is channeled into the valleys from higher levels. Modeling of a winter foehn event identifies mountain wave activity similar to that associated with midlatitude foehn winds. These events are found to be caused by strong pressure gradients over the mountain ranges of the MDVs related to synoptic-scale cyclones positioned off the coast of Marie Byrd Land. Analysis of meteorological records for 2006 and 2007 finds an increase of 10% in the frequency of foehn events in 2007 compared to 2006, which corresponds to stronger pressure gradients in the Ross Sea region. It is postulated that the intra-and interannual frequency and intensity of foehn events in the MDVs may therefore vary in response to the position and frequency of cyclones in the Ross Sea region.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Foehn Winds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: The Origin of Extreme Warming Events*

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…1b. Because of the intensity and persistence of the winds, which are able to reach hurricane force, Adélie Land has often been described as the windiest place on planet Earth (e.g., Wendler et al, 1997). Standard measurements of atmospheric variables (temperature, wind speed, wind direction, relative and specific humidity, atmospheric pressure) are collected regularly all year long by the French meteorological service (Météo France), and a balloon radiosounding is launched daily at 00:00 UTC.…”

Section: Climate and Operational Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurements of precipitation in Dumont d'Urville, Adélie Land, East Antarctica

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…An important feature of the GV regional icescape (that is, the interaction of topography, ice sheet/ice shelf configuration and fast ice) has been the blocking of the westward advection of sea ice [10][11][12] by the existence of the Mertz Glacier Tongue (MGT), together with a large iceberg (B9B) and surrounding fast ice. This promotes polynya activity, and hence dense shelf water formation, which is driven by cold offshore winds 13,14 . In the Adélie Depression, polynyas typically formed in the coastal bays (Commonwealth, Watt and Buchanan Bays labelled CB, WB and BB, respectively) and along the western lee of the MGT.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential regime shift in decreased sea ice production after the Mertz Glacier calving

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Variability in dense shelf water formation can potentially impact Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) production, a vital component of the global climate system. In East Antarctica, the George V Land polynya system (142-150°E) is structured by the local 'icescape', promoting sea ice formation that is driven by the offshore wind regime. Here we present the first observations of this region after the repositioning of a large iceberg (B9B) precipitated the calving of the Mertz Glacier Tongue in 2010. Using satellite data, we find that the total sea ice production for the region in 2010 and 2011 was 144 and 134 km3, respectively, representing a 14-20% decrease from a value of 168 km3 averaged from 2000-2009. This abrupt change to the regional icescape could result in decreased polynya activity, sea ice production, and ultimately the dense shelf water export and AABW production from this region for the coming decades

show abstract

On the extraordinary katabatic winds of Adélie Land

Cited by 71 publications

References 22 publications

Foehn Winds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: The Origin of Extreme Warming Events*

Foehn Winds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: The Origin of Extreme Warming Events*

Measurements of precipitation in Dumont d'Urville, Adélie Land, East Antarctica

Potential regime shift in decreased sea ice production after the Mertz Glacier calving

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About