Federal Service of Russia for Hydrometeorology And

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING State Institution the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (33) October - December 2005 Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2006 FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING State Institution the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (33) October - December 2005

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg

2006

Authors and contributors

Editor-in-Chief M.O. Krichak (Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) Department),

Section 1 M.O. Krichak (RAE), Section 2 Ye.I. Aleksandrov (Department of Meteorology), Section 3 L.Yu. Ryzhakov (Department of Long-Range Weather Forecasting), Section 4 A.I. Korotkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting), Section 5 Ye.Ye. Sibir (Department of Meteorology), Section 6 I.P. Yeditkina, I.V. Moskvin, V.A. Gizler (Department of Geophysics), Section 7 V.L. Martyanov (RAE).

Translated by I.I. Solovieva http://south.aari.nw.ru, Antarctic Research and Russian Antarctic Expedition, Documents, Quarterly Bulletin.

Acknowledgements: Russian Antarctic Expedition is grateful to all AARI staff for participation and help in preparing this Bulletin.

For more information about the contents of this publication, please, contact Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Roshydromet Russian Antarctic Expedition Bering St., 38, St. Petersburg 199397 Russia Phone: (812) 352 15 41 Fax: (812) 352 28 27 E-mail: [email protected] CONTENTS

PREFACE……………………….…………………………………….…………………………..1

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS…………………………………….………………………….3 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2005…………24 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES ABOVE THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2005……………………..……………………………...33 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN BASED ON SHIPBORN, SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATION DATA AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2005……………………….………………..36 5. TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2005…………………………………...... 42 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2005…………..….…………………………………….45

7. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2005……..………………..53

PREFACE

The Bulletin is prepared on the basis of data reported from the Russian Antarctic stations in real time via the communication channels. The Bulletin is published since 1998 on a quarterly basis. Section I in this issue presents monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations and upper-air sounding for the fourth quarter of 2005. Standard meteorological observations are being carried out at present at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Progress and Vostok stations. The upper-air sounding is undertaken once a day at 00.00 universally coordinated time (UT) at two stations - Mirny Observatory and Novolazarevskaya station. More frequent sounding is conducted during the periods of the International Geophysical Interval in accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar in 2005 – from 7 to 20 February, 2 to 15 May, 8 to 21 August and 7 to 20 November at 00 h and 12 h UT. In the meteorological tables, the atmospheric pressure values for the coastal stations are referenced to the sea level. The atmospheric pressure at Vostok station is not reduced to the sea level and is presented at the meteorological site level. Along with the monthly averages of meteorological parameters, the tables in Section 1 present their deviations from multiyear averages (anomalies) and deviations in σf fractions (normalized anomalies (f-favg)/ σf). For the monthly totals of precipitation and total radiation, the relative anomalies (f/favg) are also presented. For Progress station, the anomalies are not calculated due to a short observations series. The statistical characteristics necessary for the calculation of anomalies were derived at the AARI Department of Meteorology for the period 1961-1990 as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization. The Bulletin contains brief overviews with an assessment of the state of the Antarctic environment based on the actual data for the quarter under consideration. The reviews for the 4th quarter also contain the corresponding estimates for the entire year. Sections 2 and 3 are devoted to the meteorological and synoptic conditions. The review of synoptic conditions (section 3) is based on the analysis of current aero-synoptic information, which is performed by the RAE weather forecaster at Novolazarevskaya station and on more complete data of the Southern Hemisphere reported to the AARI. The analysis of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean (Section 4) is based on satellite data received at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations and on the observations conducted at the coastal Bellingshausen and Mirny stations. The anomalous character of ice conditions is evaluated against the multiyear averages of the drifting ice edge location and the mean multiyear dates of the onset of different ice phases in the coastal areas of the Southern Ocean adjoining the Antarctic stations. The multiyear averages were obtained at the AARI Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting over the period 1971-1995. Section 5 presents an overview of total ozone on the basis of measurements at the Russian stations. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6 present the results of measurements under the geomagnetic and ionospheric programs. The geophysical information also includes the magnetic activity index (PC-index) the calculation of which is made from data of geomagnetic observations at Vostok station. The last Section (7) is traditionally devoted to the main directions of the logistics activity of RAE during the period under consideration.

RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OPERATION IN OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2005

MIRNY OBSERVATORY

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89592 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 39.9 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 66°33′ S; λ = 93°01′ E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES Φ = -76.8°; ∆ = 151.1° BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY December 7 – January 5 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89512 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 119 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 70°46′ S; λ = 11°50′ E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 15 - January 28 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 21 - July 23

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89050 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 15.4 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 62°12′ S; λ = 58°56′ W BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY No BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No

PROGRESS STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89574 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 14.6 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 69°23′ S; λ = 76°23′ E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 21 – January 22 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 28– July 16

VOSTOK STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89606 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 3488 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 78°27′ S; λ = 106°52′ E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES Φ = -89.3°; ∆ = 139.5° BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY October 21 - February 21 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT April 23 - August 21

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

OCTOBER 2005

MIRNY OBSERVATORY Table 1.1 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, October 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 981,2 1002,7 948,1 -0,6 -0,1 Air temperature, °C -12,9 -2,3 -28,4 0,5 0,2 Relative humidity, % 76 7,0 1,2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4,9 -1,9 -1,9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,0 -0,5 -0,4 Precipitation, mm 29,2 -14,3 -0,4 0,7 Wind speed, m/s 11,3 26,0 0,7 0,4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 532,8 22,8 0,7 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 285 357 138

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, October 2005 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T °C direction, without P hPa D °C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

975 53 -15,2 3,0 925 454 -13,6 6,3 89 10 93 1 1 850 1093 -16,4 6,7 90 7 69 1 1 700 2539 -21,3 8,8 124 1 15 1 1 500 4951 -35,4 7,7 252 4 39 1 1 400 6475 -44,8 6,9 253 8 48 1 1 300 8347 -56,2 6,1 259 11 58 1 1 200 10880 -61,2 6,3 271 17 86 1 1 150 12665 -61,2 6,7 274 22 90 1 1 100 15160 -60,5 7,1 282 31 91 2 2 70 17401 -55,3 7,6 286 40 92 4 5 50 19557 -49,1 8,6 285 49 94 8 8 30 23057 -38,4 11,0 290 58 95 11 9 20 25999 -30,1 14,4 292 55 94 17 9

Table 1.3 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature Mirny, October 2005

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -1 0,0 0,8 0,5 700 2 0,1 1,1 0,9 500 7 0,2 1,1 0,8 400 19 0,4 1,8 1,2 300 35 0,6 2,0 1,2 200 64 0,9 3,3 1,5 150 88 1,1 2,6 0,8 100 82 0,7 0,2 0,0 70 85 0,5 1,0 0,2 50 77 0,4 2,7 0,4 30 213 0,7 6,4 1,0 20 350 0,9 8,8 1,4

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.4 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, October 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 984,2 1005,0 962,9 0,1 0,0 Air temperature, °C -12,7 -3,0 -27,8 -0,1 -0,1 Relative humidity, % 45 -6,6 -0,9 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,2 0,6 0,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1,0 0,4 0,6 Precipitation, mm 5,4 -23,6 -0,7 0,2 Wind speed, m/s 7,3 22,0 -2,7 -1,9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 480,3 23,3 0,6 1,1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 151 292 113

Table 1.5 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, October 2005 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T °C direction, without P hPa D °C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

969 122 -13,5 9,5 925 474 -13,8 8,7 113 11 91 0 1 850 1110 -18,2 8,1 105 11 92 0 0 700 2531 -26,2 6,4 126 8 73 0 0 500 4899 -39,5 5,5 177 6 48 0 0 400 6388 -49,7 5,0 197 8 51 0 0 300 8216 -61,3 4,5 209 9 55 0 0 200 10663 -70,7 4,4 220 11 73 0 0 150 12349 -74,0 4,3 233 11 77 0 0 100 14690 -77,3 4,3 250 11 82 0 0 70 16724 -77,6 4,3 262 13 86 0 0 50 18658 -75,0 4,5 275 16 89 0 0 30 21697 -63,4 6,0 285 21 92 1 1 20 24316 -42,3 8,8 291 23 90 5 5 10 29108 -31,0 14,5 307 30 91 10 9

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, October 2005

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -4 -0,1 0,3 0,2 700 -9 -0,2 -0,6 -0,4 500 -22 -0,4 -0,8 -0,4 400 -33 -0,5 -1,1 -0,7 300 -47 -0,7 -1,0 -0,8 200 -64 -0,9 -1,5 -0,8 150 -97 -1,2 -3,4 -1,5 100 -158 -1,7 -6,7 -2,0 70 -250 -2,2 -8,6 -2,3 50 -352 -2,5 -8,7 -1,9 30 -479 -2,2 -4,2 -0,7 20 -465 -1,6 8,8 1,2 10 -340 -0,8 7,1 0,8

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION Table 1.7 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, October 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 993,7 1014,9 953,7 3,9 0,8 Air temperature, °C -1,8 1,1 -11,1 0,8 0,8 Relative humidity, % 91 2,8 0,9 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,4 -0,6 -1,5 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 7,7 -0,3 -0,5 Precipitation, mm 31,8 -17,8 -1,1 0,6 Wind speed, m/s 8,2 19,0 0,2 0,2 Prevailing wind direction, deg 360 Total radiation, MJ/m2 384,3 -19,8 -0,5 1,0

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, October 2005 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 982,6 1005,4 953,7 Air temperature, 0C -10,3 -0,4 -21,9 Relative humidity, % 53 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,6 Precipitation, mm 7,8 Wind speed, m/s 4,9 12,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 67 Total radiation, MJ/m2 456,5

VOSTOK STATION Table 1.9 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg)

Vostok, October 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Station surface level air pressure, hPa 618,8 635,8 595,3 -0,6 -0,1 Air temperature, °C -54,8 -39,5 -75,7 2,2 1,4 Relative humidity, % 77 6,5 1,5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5,1 0,7 0,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 0,0 0,0 Precipitation, mm 0,9 -1,0 -0,5 0,5 Wind speed, m/s 5,9 12,0 0,4 0,4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m2 443,3 -15,8 -0,7 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU *

* the data need to be further analysed

O c t o b e r 2005

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa Atmospheric981,2Atmospheric pressure 984,2 pressure at Vostok 993,7 at sea station level, 982,6 is hPathe ground 1000 level pressure 1100,0 981,2981,2 984,2984,2 993,7 982,6 1000,0900,0800 981,2 984,2 993,7 982,6 700,0 618,8618,8 700900 500,0500600 MirnyMirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0,1 0,0 0,8 -0,1

Air temperature, °C 0,0 AirAir temperature, temperature, °C °C -1,8 -20,010,00 -12,9 -12,7 -10,3 -20,0-40,0-20 -12,9-12,9 -12,7-12,7 -1,8 -1,8 -10,3-10,3 -50,0-40 -12,9 -12,7 -10,3 -80,0-60,0-60 -54,8 MirnyMirnyMirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,2 -0,1 0,8 1,4

Relative humidity,91 % 100 76 Relative humidity, % 77 76 91 91 53 100 76 45 53 77 10050 45 45 53 5050 00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 1,2 -0,9 0,9 1,5

TotalTotal cloudiness,cloudiness,8,4 tenthstenths 10,0 7,0 6,2 5,1 4,9 8,4 8,4 7,0 1010,05,0 4,94,9 6,2 6,2 7,05,1 55,0 00,0 MirnyMirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -1,9 0,6 -1,5 0,6

Precipitation,Precipitation, mmmm 40,0 29,2 31,8 40,0 29,229,2 31,8 31,8 4020,0 5,4 7,8 20,020 5,4 5,4 7,8 7,80,9 0,000,0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok

f/favg 0,7 0,2 0,6 0,5

Mean wind speed, m/s

2020,0 11,311,3 7,3 7,3 8,2 8,2 4,95,9 1010,0 4,9 00,0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,4 -1,9 0,2 0,4

Fig.1.1. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. October 2005.

NOVEMBER 2005

MIRNY OBSERVATORY Table 1.10 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, November 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 983,2 997,0 957,8 -3,1 -0,8 Air temperature, 0C -7,0 2,6 -20,0 0,3 0,2 Relative humidity, % 75 7,2 2,0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5,6 -0,8 -1,1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1,2 -1,4 -1,2 Precipitation, mm 30,4 -3,0 -0,1 0,9 Wind speed, m/s 10,9 33,0 1,1 0,9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 790,6 17,6 0,3 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 260 345 190

Table 1.11 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, November 2005 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

979 53 -7,6 4,0 925 491 -9,3 6,7 88 13 98 1 1 850 1139 -13,5 5,5 90 11 95 1 1 700 2594 -20,9 6,8 86 6 76 1 2 500 5009 -35,3 7,2 73 3 38 1 1 400 6529 -45,7 6,7 101 2 24 1 1 300 8392 -57,5 6,0 131 0 4 1 1 200 10916 -60,8 6,1 297 6 53 1 2 150 12705 -60,6 6,6 298 10 73 1 1 100 15248 -56,1 7,8 302 17 84 3 3 70 17565 -45,6 9,6 310 23 85 4 4 50 19841 -37,2 13,3 316 23 82 7 7 30 23428 -31,3 19,2 326 17 73 9 9 20 26318 -29,5 22,4 333 14 71 12 9

Table 1.12 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Mirny, November 2005 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -9 -0,3 -1,0 -1,0 700 -19 -0,5 -1,9 -1,5 500 -44 -0,9 -2,6 -1,8 400 -61 -1,1 -2,8 -2,0 300 -89 -1,4 -3,3 -2,4 200 -144 -1,7 -5,3 -1,7 150 -198 -1,9 -7,7 -2,0 100 -302 -2,1 -8,4 -1,9 70 -366 -2,0 -2,5 -0,7 50 -373 -1,8 2,4 0,9 30 -314 -1,5 3,9 1,4 20 -263 -1,2 3,0 0,9

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, November 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 986,8 1000,4 968,6 1,0 0,3 Air temperature, 0C -9,2 -0,7 -20,2 -3,3 -2,5 Relative humidity, % 48 -5,3 -1,2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4,8 -1,5 -1,4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,8 -0,2 -0,3 Precipitation, mm 3,4 -4,6 -0,4 0,4 Wind speed, m/s 6,9 21,0 -2,5 -1,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 801,6 72,6 1,5 1,1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 218 283 163

Table 1.14 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, November 2005 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

972 122 -10,0 8,9 925 498 -12,0 7,5 105 9 94 0 0 850 1138 -16,5 7,4 101 9 92 0 0 700 2569 -24,8 6,6 102 6 69 0 0 500 4957 -36,8 6,6 217 3 38 0 0 400 6465 -46,7 6,2 231 6 55 0 0 300 8319 -58,2 5,5 237 8 61 0 0 200 10822 -63,7 5,5 242 9 71 0 0 150 12580 -64,6 5,7 245 10 77 0 0 100 15048 -64,5 6,1 244 10 73 0 0 70 17243 -59,1 6,9 237 11 64 0 0 50 19396 -48,9 8,4 223 9 46 0 0 30 22872 -33,7 12,3 206 6 25 1 1 20 25768 -26,7 14,9 170 3 12 2 2 10 30893 -22,0 17 121 6 25 6 6

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, November 2005

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -13 -0,4 -3,5 -3,1 700 -38 -1,2 -3,1 -3,0 500 -66 -1,6 -1,9 -1,5 400 -83 -1,7 -1,7 -1,5 300 -99 -1,8 -1,4 -1,2 200 -121 -1,9 -2,1 -0,7 150 -151 -1,8 -4,6 -1,1 100 -239 -1,8 -8,7 -1,6 70 -341 -1,8 -8,0 -1,4 50 -398 -1,7 -2,3 -0,5 30 -375 -1,3 5,7 1,5 20 -260 -0,8 7,4 1,8 10 -82 -0,2 4,6 0,9

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.16 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, November 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 991,4 1004,9 973,2 3,8 0,7 Air temperature, 0C -0,8 3,5 -4,9 0,4 0,5 Relative humidity, % 90 2,4 0,7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,7 -0,5 -1,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 6,8 -1,2 -1,3 Precipitation, mm 24,3 -24,1 -1,2 0,5 Wind speed, m/s 7,3 19,0 0,3 0,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 315 Total radiation, MJ/m2 549,3 10,3 0,3 1,0

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, November 2005 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 985,6 998,6 965,2 Air temperature, 0C -5,1 4,7 -17,1 Relative humidity, % 54 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,8 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,5 Precipitation, mm 7,7 Wind speed, m/s 5,5 22,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 704,2

VOSTOK STATION

Table 1.18 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, November 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Station surface level air pressure, hPa 626,9 638,9 612,3 1,2 0,3 Air temperature, °C -42,3 -25,6 -59,5 0,8 0,5 Relative humidity, % 75 3,1 0,7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4,1 0,8 1,0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 0,0 0,0 Precipitation, mm 0,0 -0,9 -1,3 0,0 Wind speed, m/s 5,6 10,0 0,4 0,4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 202 Total radiation, MJ/m2 915,6 -18,4 -0,5 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 291 350 226

N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 5

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa AtmosphericAtmospheric pressure pressure at Vostok at sea station level, is hPathe ground 983,2 level986,8 pressure991,4 985,6 1000,0 900,0 800,0 983,2 986,8 991,4 985,6 700,0 600,0900 626,9 500,0500700 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0,8 0,3 0,7 0,3

Air temperature, °C

0,0 0 -20 -0,8 -5,0 -7,0 -9,2 -0,8 -5,1 -40 -5,1 -10,0-60 -7,0 -42,3 -9,2 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,2 -2,5 0,5 0,5

RelativeRelative humidity,humidity, %%

757575 90 54 75 90 90 75 100100 48 48 48 54 54 50 50500 00 y ok ngs Belli Mirn MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz BellingsVost Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 2,0 -1,2 0,7 0,7 TotalTotal cloudiness, cloudiness, tenths tenths 8,7 8,7 10,0 5,6 6,8 6,8 10 5,6 4,8 4,8 4,1 5,05 0,00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -1,1 -1,4 -1,3 1,0

Precipitation,Precipitation, mmmm 30,4 40,040 30,4 24,3 24,3 20,020 3,4 3,4 7,7 7,7 0,0 0,00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

f/favg 0,9 0,4 0,5 0,0

MeanMean wind wind speed, speed, m/s m/s

20,0 20 10,910,9 6,96,9 7,3 7,3 5,5 10,010 5,5 5,6 0,00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,9 -1,3 0,3 0,4

Fig. 1.2. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. November 2005. 17

DECEMBER 2005

MIRNY OBSERVATORY

Table 1.19 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, December 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 996,3 1010,4 979,3 6,6 1,6 Air temperature, 0C -0,1 5,0 -6,6 2,4 2,7 Relative humidity, % 77 6,3 1,5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,6 0,7 0,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1,8 -1,2 -1,1 Precipitation, mm 7,9 -17,3 -0,8 0,3 Wind speed, m/s 9,0 19,0 0,5 0,4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 937,6 -5,4 -0,1 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 274 304 244

Table 1.20 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Mirny, December 2005 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

990 53 -0,9 4,1 925 592 -2,9 7,3 86 16 99 0 0 850 1256 -7,1 6 87 14 98 0 0 700 2750 -13,9 7,1 78 11 91 0 0 500 5240 -27,6 5,8 68 6 57 0 0 400 6811 -37,7 5,7 67 5 39 0 0 300 8740 -49,7 5,2 52 3 20 0 0 200 11371 -49,5 7,1 9 3 25 2 2 150 13265 -48,2 8,8 312 1 11 3 3 100 15943 -46,8 10,8 241 2 22 4 5 70 18301 -44,9 11,2 251 1 18 8 8 50 20577 -42,3 12,3 67 0 4 10 9 30 24062 -38,0 14,0 91 4 44 12 9 20 26887 -35,4 15,5 91 7 71 13 9 10 31812 -27,5 17,8 81 9 74 17 9

Table 1.21 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, December 2005

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 62 1,9 1,8 2,4 700 73 2,1 2,5 2,3 500 96 2,1 2,4 1,8 400 109 2,1 2,3 1,9 300 125 2,2 1,7 1,3 200 113 1,8 -2,0 -0,9 150 97 1,4 -3,0 -1,4 100 53 0,6 -4,2 -2,3 70 -18 -0,2 -4,2 -2,9 50 -28 -0,3 -3,1 -2,4 30 -64 -0,6 -1,6 -1,0 20 -64 -0,7 -1,8 -0,8 10 -45 -0,4 0,6 0,3

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, December 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 999,0 1009,1 983,4 8,7 1,8 Air temperature, 0C -1,6 5,2 -7,1 -0,7 -0,9 Relative humidity, % 65 7,2 1,7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,1 1,8 2,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 4,3 2,8 3,5 Precipitation, mm 3,7 -3,9 -0,3 0,5 Wind speed, m/s 4,9 14,0 -2,5 -1,5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 858,9 -49,2 -0,7 0,9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 283 339 242

Table 1.23 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Novolazarevskaya, December 2005 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

984 122 -2,7 4,8 925 610 -5,2 3,9 96 7 89 0 0 850 1267 -9,5 3,4 94 9 97 0 0 700 2737 -18,4 4,3 84 10 96 0 0 500 5175 -32,2 3,6 68 5 62 0 0 400 6714 -42,2 3,8 51 4 45 0 0 300 8603 -53,8 3,7 19 4 38 0 1 200 11213 -50,3 5,9 4 4 55 0 0 150 13093 -48,8 7,9 1 4 62 0 0 100 15774 -45,3 10,1 1 5 60 0 0 70 18167 -41,4 11,9 8 6 69 0 0 50 20461 -38,7 13,2 15 6 68 1 1 30 23976 -36,5 14,8 44 5 62 3 3 20 26793 -34,2 15,7 68 6 70 5 5 10 31696 -27,6 18,2 97 8 94 15 9

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, December 2005 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 62 1,4 -0,7 -0,8 700 56 1,2 -0,1 -0,1 500 44 0,8 -0,7 -0,4 400 36 0,6 -0,6 -0,4 300 23 0,3 -1,2 -1,0 200 12 0,2 -0,7 -0,2 150 -3 0,0 -2,1 -0,7 100 -23 -0,2 -2,4 -1,0 70 -43 -0,3 -0,9 -0,4 50 -62 -0,4 -0,6 -0,4 30 -93 -0,7 -1,2 -0,6 20 -99 -0,6 -1,5 -0,7 10 -125 -1,0 0,5 0,2

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Bellingshausen, December 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 995,4 1009,9 966,6 4,0 0,8 Air temperature, 0C 0,0 6,8 -11,2 -0,4 -0,8 Relative humidity, % 80 -7,5 -1,8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,8 -0,3 -0,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 7,3 -0,6 -0,9 Precipitation, mm 23,3 -25,8 -1,6 0,5 Wind speed, m/s 6,4 15,0 -0,2 -0,2 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 609,0 29,0 0,7 1,1

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, December 2005 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 998,1 1010,8 989,3 Air temperature, 0C 2,5 8,9 -3,5 Relative humidity, % 53 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,4 Precipitation, mm 11,7 Wind speed, m/s 4,2 14,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 923,7

VOSTOK STATION Table 1.27 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, December 2005 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Ground level air pressure, hPa 641,4 652,5 626,5 7,6 1,8 Air temperature, °C -29,2 -18,9 -40,5 2,7 1,7 Relative humidity, % 77 4,6 1,0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3,9 0,7 0,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,1 -0,1 -0,5 Precipitation, mm 0,6 0,0 0,0 1,0 Wind speed, m/s 1,8 13,0 -2,7 -3,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 202 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1199,5 -32,6 -0,8 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 287 350 231

D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 5

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa AtmosphericAtmospheric pressure pressure at Vostok at sea station level, is hPathe ground 996,3983,2 999,0level986,8 pressure995,4991,4 998,1985,6 1000,0 900,0 996,3 999,0 995,4 998,1 800,0 700,01000 641,4 600,0800 500,0600 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 1,6 1,8 0,8 1,8

AirAir temperature,temperature, °C°C

10,0200,0 -0,1-0,1 0,0 0,0 2,5 2,5 -10,00 -20,00,0 Mirny-7 Novolaz Bellings-0,8 Progress-5,1 -30,0-20 -1,6 -9,2 -10,0-40,0-40 -1,6 -50,0 -29,2 -60,0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 1,7 1,9 -0,2 1,4

RelativeRelative humidity,humidity, %% 80 100 777775 65 80 90 77 100 65 48 53 5354 5050 0 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 1,5 1,7 -1,8 1,0

TotalTotal cloudiness,cloudiness, tenthstenths 8,8 8,78,8 10,0 7,65,67,6 8,1 8,1 6,3 6,86,3 1010,0 4,8 3,9 5,055,0 0,000,0 MirnyMirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,7 2,6 -0,7 0,7

Precipitation, mm 30,4 40,040 23,3 24,323,3 11,7 11,7 20,020 7,97,9 3,7 3,43,7 7,70,6 0,00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok

f/favg 0,3 0,5 0,5 1,0

MeanMean windwind speed,speed, m/sm/s 9,0 10,020,015 9,010,9 4,9 6,4 6,9 6,4 7,3 4,2 10,05,010 4,9 4,2 5,5 5 1,8 0,00,00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,4 -1,5 -0,2 -3,0

Fig.1.3. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. December 2005. 24

2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2005 AND IN GENERAL OVER THE YEAR

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the temperature conditions in October-December 2005 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages of surface air temperature and their anomalies and normalized anomalies at the Russian and non-Russian meteorological stations. The actual data contained in /1/ were used for the Russian Antarctic stations and data contained in /2, 3/ were used for the foreign stations. The multiyear averages over the period 1961-1990 were adopted from /4/. In October-November, as compared to September, the number of stations with the above zero anomalies of mean monthly air temperature has decreased (Fig. 2.1). A small cold center that was in September at the eastern coast of the Weddell Sea spread in October over the entire territory of the Queen Maud Land and in November – over the Polar Plateau area. The cold center was located in October in the Syowa station area (-0.6 оС, -0.5 σ) and in November - in the vicinity of Syowa (-3.0 оС, -3.1 σ) and Novolazarevskaya (-3.3 оС, -2.7 σ) stations. November 2005 was the coldest over the entire observation period from 1957 at Syowa station and from 1961 at Novolazarevskaya station. Main heat centers in October were located in the vicinity of the Polar Plateau, Victoria Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here, the heat anomalies at McMurdo, Amundsen-Scott and Rothera stations amounted to 2.7 оС (1.0 σ), 2.5 оС (1.0 σ) and 2.5 оС (1.1 σ), respectively. In November, the heat center decreased in area, the largest positive temperature anomalies being observed in the Ross Sea (McMurdo station, 1.3 оС, 0.8 σ) and in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula (Rothera station, 1.5 оС, 1.0 σ). In December, the above zero air temperature anomalies were noted in the central part of the continent, and also at the entire coast of East Antarctica. Large above zero anomalies were recorded at Amundsen-Scott (3.7 оС, 2.1 σ), Vostok (2.6 оС, 1.7 σ), Davis (2.5 оС, 2.5 σ) and Mirny (2.4 оС, 2.6 σ) stations. December 2005 was the warmest for Mirny station and the second warmest December for Davis station for the entire observation period. In December, a cold center was formed in the Antarctic Peninsula area with the core near Rothera station. The temperature anomaly at Rothera station was -1.5 оС (-2.8 σ), and December 2005 was the second coldest December for the entire observation period at this station. The statistically significant linear trends of mean monthly air temperature for these months are detected only at Vostok station (Figs.2.2-2.4). The air temperature increase at Vostok station for November and December was 1.6 °С/44 years and 1.5 оС/44 years (Table 2.1), respectively. The atmospheric pressure at the Russian stations in October-November was characterized by predominantly small (less than 1 σ) anomalies. In December, at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations, large air pressure anomalies were observed: 6.6 hPa (1.7 σ), 8.8 hPa (1.8 σ) and 7.8 hPa (1.9 σ), respectively. At Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations, such anomalies were the second largest positive anomalies for December over the entire observation period. In Mirny, the pressure anomaly in December has become the third positive anomaly since 1957. Statistically significant linear trends of mean monthly atmospheric pressure for the months under consideration were not observed at the Russian stations (Figs.2.2-2.4). One can only point to the presence of a negative trend at Bellingshausen and Mirny stations. At Novolazarevskaya station, the negative trend is detected in October and December, and at Vostok station – in December. The amount of precipitation in October-December at the Russian stations was less than the multiyear average. The least precipitation was observed at Novolazarevskaya station in October and at Mirny station in December (about 20% of the multiyear average). No precipitation was observed at Vostok station in November. Considering the air temperature regime for 2005 in general, one should note the dominance of the above zero air temperature anomalies at the stations of Antarctica throughout the year. In 2005, the below zero mean annual temperature anomalies were observed in East Antarctica only in the vicinity of the Wilkes Land at Casey (-0.3 оС, -0.3 σ) and Dumont d’Urville (-0.4 оС, -0.6 σ) stations, and in West Antarctica – only in the vicinity of the Queen Maud Land at Halley station (-0.8 оС, -0.8 σ) (Fig. 2.1). The largest (1.5 σ and more) above zero anomalies of mean annual air temperature in 2005 were noted at the inland Amundsen-Scott (1.3 оС, 2.3 σ) and Vostok (1.1 оС, 1.5 σ) stations. They were the second and the fourth largest anomalies for the indicated stations over the entire observation period. The largest by area and by duration centers of the above zero anomalies were detected in January-March and August-December. In May-June, extensive centers of the below zero anomalies took place. The dynamics of location of the heat and cold centers in 2005 was as follows. In January 2005 as compared to December 2004, the above zero temperature anomalies were observed at most Antarctic stations. In January, the temperature anomalies were small (about 1 σ and less). The main heat center was located near the coast of Antarctica in the Weddell Sea area. The anomaly at its core at Orcadas station was equal to 1.0 оС (1.5 σ). In February, the main heat center was displaced to the area of the Queen Maud Land. Its core was located near Novolazarevskaya (1.1 оС, 1.2 σ) and Syowa (1.3 оС, 1.6 σ) stations. For Syowa station, the mean monthly temperature of February was -1.8 оС being the third among the warmest years beginning from 1957. The below zero temperature anomalies recorded in February at the Antarctic stations were small (-1 σ and less). 25

In March, the heat center core moved to the area of the Commonwealth Sea. Here at Mawson and Davis stations, the anomalies amounted to 2.2 °С (1.5 σ) and 1.9 оС (1.2 σ), respectively. The main cold center was localized in the vicinity of the Wilkes Land and Victoria Land. At its core near Dumont d’Urville station, the temperature anomaly was -2.1 оС (-1.5 σ). In April, the main cold center was in the vicinity of the Victoria Land. Here, at McMurdo station, the temperature anomaly was -3.3 °С (-1.6 σ). The above zero temperature anomalies were small not more than 1 σ. Only in the central part of the mainland in the vicinity of Amundsen-Scott station, the anomaly reached 3.3 оС (1.3 σ). In May, the below zero temperature anomalies spread to the central part of the mainland and the coastal part of West Antarctica in the vicinity of the Queen Maud Land. At the core of the cold center near Halley station, the temperature anomaly was -6.2 °С (-1.7 σ). May at this station was the second coldest May over the entire observation period beginning from 1957. In the Antarctic Peninsula area in May, small above zero (less than 1 σ) anomalies were preserved. In June, the heat center was located in the coastal part of East Antarctica. At its core at Mawson station, the temperature anomaly was 2.9 оС (1.2 σ). In West Antarctica and at the Antarctic Peninsula, the below zero temperature anomalies were observed. The most significant anomaly was recorded in the vicinity of Halley station, being equal to -4.2 оС (-1.3 σ). In July, there was a decrease of the number of stations with the above zero anomalies of mean monthly temperature. An extensive cold center was situated in the vicinity of the Wilkes Land, the Polar Plateau and in the southwestern area of the Antarctic Peninsula. At Casey and Amundsen-Scott stations, the anomalies of mean monthly air temperature were -4.1°С (-1.3 σ) and -3.3 °С (-1.4 σ), respectively. A small heat center was located in the area of the Atlantic and the western part of the Indian Ocean coast. At Syowa station, the temperature anomaly was 3.3 оС (1.3 σ). In August, the number of stations with the below zero temperature anomalies has decreased. Small below zero anomalies (about -1 σ) were noted in the zone of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica and in the Ross Sea area. The heat center was situated near the Atlantic coast, western part of the Indian Ocean coast and the Antarctic Peninsula. The largest above zero anomaly of air temperature was observed at Syowa station (3.2оС, 1.4 σ). For this station, August 2005 was the fifth warmest August for the entire period of its operation. In September, the heat center spread to the central part of the mainland and the entire coast of East Antarctica. The largest above zero anomalies were observed at Amundsen-Scott (6.5 оС, 2.7 σ) and Bellingshausen (2.0 оС, 1.2 σ) stations. September 2005 was the warmest for Amundsen-Scott station and the fifth warmest September at Bellingshausen station over the entire period of station operation. Throughout October-December, as noted above, there was an increase in the number of stations with the above zero temperature anomalies. Fig. 2.5 presents the annual temperature and atmospheric pressure variations in 2005 at the Russian stations and the temperature and pressure multiyear averages for the period 1961-1990. One can see that small above zero temperature anomalies predominated in 2005. The cases of large anomalies (more than 1.5 σ) were few. Large positive anomalies were noted in December at Mirny (2.4 оС, 2.6 σ) and Vostok (2.6 оС, 1.7 σ) stations. December 2005 was the warmest for Mirny station and the fourth warmest December for Vostok station. A large below zero temperature anomaly was noted in November at Novolazarevskaya station (-3.3 оС, -2.7 σ). Such cold anomaly in November occurred for the first time over the observation period from 1961. A large above zero temperature anomaly was observed at the foreign stations in 2005 only in September at Amundsen-Scott station (6.5 оС, 2.7 σ). This September was the warmest over the entire operation period of the station. The atmospheric pressure at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations in 2005 is characterized by the dominance of negative and at Bellingshausen station – positive anomalies. Cases of large negative anomalies were observed in the first months of 2005. At Bellingshausen station, they occurred in January (-5.7 hPa, -2.3 σ) and April (-6.2 hPa, -1.5 σ), at Mirny station – in February (-6.2 hPa, -1.9 σ) and April (-7.2 hPa, -2.3 σ) and at Novolazarevskaya station – in February (-10.4 hPa, -2.3 σ). Large positive pressure anomalies took place in the second half of the year: in August at Bellingshausen station (9.0 hPa, 2.6 σ) and in December at Mirny (6.6 hPa, 1.7 σ), Novolazarevskaya (8.8 hPa, 1.8 σ) and Vostok (7.8 hPa, 1.9 σ) stations. The interannual variations of mean annual air temperature for the period 1957-2005 for most stations of Antarctica are characterized by the temperature increase. The statistically significant trends were detected at Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations (Fig. 2.6, Table 2.1). At Bellingshausen station (the Antarctic Peninsula), the temperature increase was 1.1 оС/37 years (from 1969). At Novolazarevskaya station (the Atlantic coast of East Antarctica), the mean annual temperature increased by 1.0 оС/44 years (from 1961). At Mirny station (the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica) and at inland Vostok station, the trend values are statistically insignificant however the trend sign is positive. The interannual changes of mean monthly air temperature at the Russian stations manifest for some months the statistically significant trends. The highest trend values were noted predominantly for the cold months. Thus, the trend value for July at Novolazarevskaya station is equal to 2.4 оС/45 years, at Bellingshausen station for May 2.4°С/38 years and for August 3.6 оС/38 years (Table2.1). 26

Summarizing the results of monitoring the meteorological conditions at the stations of Antarctica for 2005, it should be noted that small above zero mean annual temperature anomalies took place at most stations. The largest above zero anomalies were recorded at the inland Amundsen-Scott and Vostok stations. In 2005, new extremes for the entire observation period values of mean monthly air temperature were also observed at some Antarctic stations (Amundsen-Scott – September, Mirny – December). Estimates of the linear trends of mean annual air temperature at the Russian stations in Antarctica indicate that warming was the main tendency of the period 1957-2005.

References:

1. http://www.south.aari.nw.ru 2. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climatedata.html 3. http://www.nerc–bas.ac.uk/public/icd/metlog/jones_and_limbert.html 4. Atlas of the oceans. The Southern Ocean. MD RF (in press)

Table 2.1 Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature

Station Parameter I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Year Entire observation period Novolazarevskaya, оС/10 years 0.19 0.21 0.20 0.22 -0.14 0.26 0.54 0.33 0.27 0.30 -0.06 0.08 0.22 1961-2005 % 27.5 30.2 24.0 16.2 8.2 15.1 25.2 19.5 18.2 23.6 6.7 10.9 45.1 Р 90 95 - - - - 90 - - - - - 99 Mirny, оС/10 years -0.12 0.05 0.02 -0.10 -0.13 0.27 0.13 0.18 0.46 0.06 0.02 0.02 0.07 1957-2005 % 13.8 5.8 1.6 6.9 7.6 17.4 6.5 9.0 26.1 5.1 2.4 3.0 13.2 Р ------90 - - - - Vostok, оС/10 years 0.20 -0.03 -0.05 -0.00 -0.14 0.07 0.16 0.18 -0.18 -0.12 0.36 0.35 0.07 1958-2005 % 18.3 2.4 3.0 0.1 7.3 3.6 6.1 7.0 7.5 9.6 33.4 29.9 11.0 Р ------95 95 - Bellingshausen, оС/10 years 0.26 0.25 0.18 0.33 0.64 0.42 0.31 0.94 0.04 -0.06 0.02 -0.01 0.30 1968-2005 % 46.0 42.3 24.0 26.1 33.9 21.1 11.4 42.8 2.5 5.4 3.6 1.6 40.1 Р 99 99 - - 95 - - 99 - - - - 99 1996–2005 Novolazarevskaya оС/10 years 1.41 0.41 1.36 0.24 0.30 -0.70 -3.30 -0.46 -3.45 1.21 -1.99 1.46 -0.23 % 62.2 14.1 29.6 3.1 03.4 12.8 35.3 7.8 51.4 20.1 48.5 36.1 10.1 Р 95 ------Mirny оС/10 years 2.8 1.38 1.48 1.72 3.38 -1.57 -3.11 -2.27 0.37 2.25 -0.42 1.92 0.69 % 45.1 34.0 34.3 26.3 44.3 28.4 34.3 35.6 5.4 44.6 12.8 42.6 24.4 Р ------Vostok оС/10 years 3.60 -0.11 3.92 4.04 3.56 0.07 6.15 4.04 5.09 5.61 -1.67 2.63 3.16 % 61.7 3.6 65.6 37.7 29.1 0.8 54.9 38.7 58.5 69.7 33.6 35.2 82.0 Р - - 90 ------95 - - 95 Bellingshausen оС/10 years -1.12 -0.59 -1.88 -0.86 -1.8 -3.56 -1.07 2.44 3.21 -0.53 -0.04 -1.02 -0.59 % 64.0 30.0 75.2 21.0 39.4 43.6 22.0 50.8 45.2 12.7 01.7 47.2 39.8 Р 95 - 99 ------

First line: linear trend coefficient; Second line: dispersion value explained by the linear trend; Third line: Р=1-α, where α – level of significance (presented if P exceeds 90 %).

Fig.2.1. Mean monthly surface air temperatures (1), their anomalies (2) and normalized anomalies (3) in October (X), November (XI) and December (XII) 2005 from data of stationary meteorological stations in the Southern polar area.

Fig. 2.2. Interannual variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. October.

Fig. 2.3. Interannual variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. November.

Fig. 2.4. Interannual variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. December.

Fig. 2.5. Annual variations of mean monthly air temperature and mean monthly atmospheric pressure in 2005. 1 – mean annual air temperature (mean annual pressure) for the period 1961-1990, 2 – mean monthly air temperature (mean monthly pressure) for the period 1961-1990, 3 – mean monthly air temperature (mean monthly pressure) values in 2005.

Fig. 2.6. Interannual variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. Year.

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES ABOVE THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2005 AND IN GENERAL OVER THE YEAR

With the beginning of spring 2005 the weather character over the Antarctic was determined similar to the winter months by the dominating meridional processes. In October, this was expressed in the formation of blocking ridges over the South Atlantic. The South American cyclones quite frequently moved to the Weddell Sea and then passing over the Ronne Ice Shelf moved to the Antarctic Dome. Powerful high pressure ridges also developed from the side of East Australia and New Zealand and were directed to the central regions of Antarctica determining the processes of warm and moist air inflow to the Dome. As a result, the air temperatures higher than a multiyear average were noted at Vostok and Amundsen-Scott stations similar to most stations of the coastal zone of East Antarctica. There were abundant snowfalls in some regions. Table 3.1 Frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere and their anomalies in October-December 2005

Month Frequency of occurrence (days) Anomalies (days) Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb October 4 13 14 -9 2 7 November 12 15 3 0 4 -4 December 13 7 11 0 -4 4

In November, the character of the atmospheric circulation has significantly changed. The meridional processes of Ма form were developed and the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes increased (Table 3.1). Blocking ridges were formed in the Atlantic and Australian sectors, and active cyclones with developed multilayer cloud systems penetrated far to high latitudes. A similar situation was observed on 9-13 November during the flight of IL-76 to Vostok station for fuel delivery. The anomalies of mean monthly temperature at the Antarctic Peninsula and at most stations of East Antarctica were above zero and only in the vicinity of the Queen Maud Land –significantly below zero (at Novolazarevskaya station, the anomaly was -3.3ºС). This fact had a favorable influence on the state of the air strip and contributed to successful fulfillment of the aforementioned transport operation. In December, similar to November, zonal processes were developed within a multiyear average. As to meridional processes, the circulation form Mb had an anomalous development. In the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean sectors of the Antarctic, the cyclones almost did not reach the coast. The Antarctic High was well developed and from the Weddell Sea to the Davis Sea a belt of positive pressure anomalies was formed (up to 4-8 hPa). However, active cyclones penetrated to high latitudes along the western periphery of the New Zealand blocking ridge. These cyclones exported warm and moist air to the near-pole area determining the unusual snowfalls for high latitudes, significant middle-level cloudiness and the above zero air temperature anomalies. The snow cover at the Dome was a cause of the decreased motion speed of the sledge-caterpillar traverse, which arrived to Vostok station only on the first days of January 2006. The mean monthly temperature at the coast of the Commonwealth, Davis and Mawson seas and at Vostok station was by 1-3º С higher than the multiyear average. At Novolazarevskaya station due to the prevailing gloomy weather in December, low temperatures in November and presence of freshly fallen snow, one observed a delay and low intensity of the processes of snow and ice melting at the weak negative temperature anomaly on average for the month. The spring modification in the stratosphere in this year began in the second 10 day period of November, when the western flows became weaker and the easterly flows appeared. In December, weak easterly and northerly flows were established at all levels of the stratosphere. In 2005, the main peculiarity of atmospheric circulation in the belt of temperate and also subtropical and sub- antarctic latitudes was a significant dominance of the meridional processes compared with the multiyear average. The decreased frequency of occurrence of the processes of Z form was accompanied with the enhanced inter-latitudinal air exchange at the increased frequency of occurrence of the processes of Mb forms in ten months of the year. Information on the frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms in presented in Table 3.2. As can be seen from the table, the indicated peculiarity was especially pronounced during the second half of the Antarctic summer and in autumn (January to April 2005). In general for 2005, the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes was by 24 days smaller than a multiyear average. The frequency of occurrence of the processes of Ма form was also smaller than the multiyear average (by 11 days). The positive anomaly of the development of the processes of Mb form was 35 days. Comparing these data with the characteristics of preceding years, it should be noted that the tendency of the increased frequency of occurrence of the processes of Mb form is observed beginning from 2001. In 2002, this anomaly was even more significant, namely, equal to 38 days (Fig. 3.1). The decreased activity of zonal processes was manifested in 2002 and 2003. If one takes into account the frequency of occurrence of the processes of Ма form, it can be concluded that the year 2005 is most close by the circulation conditions to 2002.

Table 3.2 Frequency of occurrence of the forms of atmospheric circulation (А) and its anomaly (В) in 2005

Z M M Month a b А В А В А В

January 11 -3 18 +7 2 -4 February 9 -5 7 -1 12 +6 March 10 -5 8 -2 13 +7 April 11 -1 10 0 9 +1 May 10 +1 12 -2 9 +1 June 11 +4 6 -9 13 +5 July 5 -5 14 2 12 +3 August 9 -3 10 -1 12 +4 September 14 +2 4 -7 12 +5 October 4 -9 13 2 14 +7 November 12 0 15 +4 3 -4 December 13 0 7 -4 11 +4 Year 119 -24 124 -11 122 +35

60 40 20 0 -20 -40 -60 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Z 10 8 17 36 -11 10 -38 -20 5 Ma -30 -8 -42 -18 14 -34 0 5 -11 Mb 20 0 25 -18 -3 24 38 15 7

Fig. 3.1. Anomalies (in days) of the frequency of occurrence of the circulation forms Z, Ma, Mb from 1996 to 2004.

The increased frequency of occurrence compared to the multiyear average of the processes of Mb form was expressed in the specific manner in some preceding years beginning from 1996, including 2001. The year 1999 was an exception during this period when the processes of Z form had a significant dominance. Thus, in the last years including 2001, the development of the macro-process Z+Mb was observed over the Southern Hemisphere. As can be seen from the plot in Fig. 3.1, the negative anomalies of the frequency of occurrence of Mb form were observed only in 1999 and 2000. Whether this process is the beginning of a new stage of development of the atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere will be shown by further observations. A few words about the comparison of the total atmosphere circulation fluctuations in both Earth’s hemispheres. The main atmospheric circulation forms W, C, E [2] and their analogues for the Southern Hemisphere – Z, Ma and Mb forms established by Professor G.Ya. Vangengeim allow making such a comparison. In the last years in the Northern Hemisphere after several decades of dominance of the meridional Е and С forms, the increase of the frequency of occurrence of the processes of the western W form began, which occurs non- uniformly, with separate rises and some drops. Thus, in 2001 the level of development of these processes was higher than the multiyear average by 23 days, in 2002 – by 16 days, in 2003 the frequency of occurrence of all three forms was 35 close to the multiyear average, in 2004 the frequency of occurrence of the processes of W form was greater than the multiyear average by 16 days and in 2005 – by 7 days [3]. In the Southern Hemisphere, zonal processes in the last years were developed within the multiyear average, and sometimes less than the latter (the average multiyear values of the frequency of occurrence of Z, Ma, and Mb forms were published in [4]). Thus, the fluctuations of zonality for the last two years were in the anti-phase: in the Northern Hemisphere there was their active development and in the Southern Hemisphere – a significant drop of their frequency of occurrence. As noted, the anomalous development of the processes of Мb form is a peculiarity of the current period. According to data over the entire period, for which the catalogue of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere was made, and namely from 1964 [5], such a surge of activity of the processes of Мb form also took place only in 1981 and 1982.

References: 1. Ryzhakov L.Yu. Typical anomalies of the atmospheric circulation forms above the Southern Hemisphere and some prognostic relations for the Antarctic area. – In: “Circulation of the atmosphere in polar areas”. 1978, L. Gimiz, p. 123-129. 2. Vangengeim G.Ya. Bases of the macrocirculation method of long-range meteorological forecasting for the Arctic. - AARI Proceedings, 1952, V. 34, p. 314. 3. Catalogue of the macro-synoptic processes by the classification of G.Ya. Vangengeim from 1891. – With introductory article and edited by Bolotinskaya M.Sh. and Ryzhakov L.Yu., L., Rotaprint AANII, 1964, 159 p. 4. Ryzhakov L.Yu., Rabtsevich S.V. Results of developing a method of long-range meteorological forecasting for winter for the Antarctic // AARI Proceedings. – 1999. – V. 441 – p. 59-72. 5. Ryzhakov L.Yu. Multiyear tendencies of the frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern hemisphere and their manifestations in the synoptic processes of the Antarctic. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment, 2002, No.4 (21), p. 50-57.

4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN ON SHIPBORNE, SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS DATA AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2005

In summer of 2005, the total sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean corresponded in general to the mean multiyear state. The Atlantic ice massif during January has decreased more than twice, as a result of which its eastern boundary retreated to 400W. In February, it has not undergone any significant changes and preserved the westernmost position concentrating between the 50th meridian W and the Antarctic Peninsula from the southern coast of the Weddell Sea to 63–640 S (Table 4.1). The Pacific ice massif has also decreased in January to its normal size and was stabilized in February. The ice edge in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen seas was stably located near 700 S. The Balleny ice massif was distinguished by a slightly increased area of spreading. It occupied the central position, which was not observed for a long time, at which its northern boundary passed along the 65th parallel between 150–1600 E and was oriented farther eastward by the archipelago of Balleny Islands towards Cape Ader. In the west, the massif adjoined a giant landfast ice-iceberg peninsula with a top at 1490 E near the South Polar Circle. In the Indian Ocean sector, the total ice cover size was also typical of this time of the year. However, one should note a long preservation here of the solid coastal belt of drifting ice throughout the entire summer. The only exception was the Dumont d’Urville Sea, which was traditionally completely ice-cleared and was connected with the open ocean as early as December 2004. In addition, although the width of the indicated ice belt was only 20 to 50 miles, it was distinguished by the elevated concentration. Its diverging and appearance of discontinuities due to melting of a significant ice mass took place only by early March. Thus, a typical peculiarity of the summer season of 2005 was a very compact location of the sea ice cover, which centered in the zone of its main transport under the influence of the constant Coastal Antarctic Current (CAC). This serves as an indirect evidence of the decreased activity of the atmospheric processes, which apparently determined the regime of a relatively weak wind and weak wave over much of the Antarctic area of the Southern Ocean. As a result, the landfast ice destruction in most coastal areas occurred on later dates whereas at some places it did not occur at all. For example, in Prydz Bay near Progress station, the start of the landfast ice breakup was delayed by almost a month (Table 4.2), and in the vicinity of the seasonal Druzhnaya-4 Base located nearby the landfast ice remained unbroken at the head of the Sandefjord Bay. A similar situation was observed in the area of McMurdo Bay where the decay of landfast ice and its export was restrained in addition by the giant iceberg, which was calved from the Ross Ice Shelf in 2000 and was stuck at the shelf edge. However the Antarctic summer of 2005 was probably sufficiently warm to contribute to intense melting of the ice cover and slightly delay the new autumn ice formation. Due to this, an extremely rare complete disappearance of sea ice along the west coast of Vostochnaya Bay in the Progress station area and the final clearance for not less than a month of the Treshnikov Bay in the vicinity of Mirny Observatory were observed. In March, active ice formation developed everywhere in the coastal zone and by the end of the month the usual reconstruction of the solid circumpolar ice belt took place except for the Pacific Ocean coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. In April, a significant displacement of the drifting ice edge northward was noted only in the Pacific Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean on average from the 70th parallel to 680 S. Over the rest of its area, the ice belt did not undergo any significant changes compared to March. However at the background of a relatively weak wind there was a rapid expansion of landfast ice, which was established for the first time to the visible horizon boundaries (30 km) in the vicinity of Mirny Observatory slightly earlier than usually already in the beginning of April, whereas at Progress station this took place only in late April, a month later compared to the multiyear average (Table 4.2). In May, the area of sea ice cover spreading dramatically increased almost everywhere and achieved the value, close to the multiyear average for the Southern Ocean on the whole (Table 4.1). It is apparently connected with the general increase of cyclonic activity and accompanying intensification of the export ice advection. This was especially clearly manifested in the middle of the month in the irregular approach of ice from the Weddell Sea to parallel 600 S at longitudes between 40-550 W with a simultaneous drift of this ice westward to the northern part of Bransfield Strait. The increased cyclonic background also influenced the state of the landfast ice. In particular, as a result of a deep cyclone passing across Prydz Bay, the breakup and export of the marginal zone of landfast ice was recorded on 10–12 May at a distance of 25-27 km to the northeast of Progress station. In the end, the final freeze up of the visible bay area occurred here only on 20 May, i.e. almost two months later than usually (Table 4.2). 37

In June, the intensity of synoptic processes and the ice belt expansion increased even more. The drifting ice edge rapidly advanced northward. By the end of the month it reached on average: 590 S at longitudes 0-550 W and 62– 630 S at longitudes 0–1000 E (with the preserved deep edge bend in the Cosmonauts Sea the head of which in the Lützow-Holm Bay was near the Polar Circle), 63–640 S in the Mawson - Dumont d’Urville seas, 610 S in the Somov Sea (Balleny ice massif), 660 S in the vicinity of Russkaya station and the Amundsen Sea and 64–650 S in the Bellingshausen Sea. The most remarkable event of the month was an active ice formation along the entire Pacific Ocean coast of the Antarctic Peninsula including Bransfield Strait, where ice export continued from the east from the Weddell Sea was. As a result, according to data of Bellingshausen station, the usual dates of the onset of main ice phases were observed in Ardley Bay (Table 4.2), typical of this region before the period of the “warm winters” in 1996–2001, the recurrence of which was noted in 2004. In addition, one should note the everywhere increased sizes of recurring polynyas, indirectly indicating the state of the drifting ice belt pressed from the shore and its increased advection. In particular, it can be supposed that a significant mass of old ice from the Balleny ice massif was exported westward. Finally, intensive cyclonic activity, especially in the second half of June determined the storm winds, abundant snowfalls and a temperature increase to +10С at Progress station and to -50С in Mirny Observatory. However while the landfast ice in Vostochnaya Bay in the vicinity of the Larsemann Hills remained practically snow-free due to the traditional transport of fallen snow by the dominating easterly winds, and its growth rate did not change (Table 4.3), there was a sharp increase of snow concentration on landfast ice at the roadstead of Mirny with a simultaneous decrease of its thickness growth. In July, there was almost everywhere a significant decrease in the ice belt expansion rate after its intense increase in May-June. This was probably caused by a temporary decrease in cyclonic activity, which determined the decrease in the resulting advection of drifting ice. However, the accompanying decreased background air temperature and relatively calm dynamic conditions contributed to the development of landfast ice. Thus at the roadstead of Mirny Observatory, the landfast ice growth amounted up to 1 cm/day, as a result of which its thickness by the end of the month achieved its usual mean multiyear value of about 1 m (Table 4.1). Thus, the slower ice growth observed here in May and especially in June was completely compensated. However the most remarkable fact is the final freeze up of Ardley Bay at Bellingshausen station (Table 4.2), which occurred for the first time after 1998. The landfast ice that bound the bay on 30 June was stably preserved for more than a month throughout all July and the first 10 days of August. In general, one should note a sufficiently clear tendency for the restoration of the usual stereotype of development of ice events in the vicinity of the South Shetland Islands observed before 1996. Its main peculiarity along with the intense ice drift to Bransfield Strait from the east from the Weddell Sea that began in May, is spreading of ice beginning in July from the west from the Bellingshausen Sea (the area of 650 S, 700 W) to Drake Passage. In August, the process of active ice edge advance northward was resumed. There was a clearly manifested sharp decrease of the ice flow from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait with a simultaneous increase of ice cover advection from the Bellingshausen Sea to Drake Passage, where the edge by the end of the month approached the 60th parallel. In addition one should point to the unordinary behavior of the ice edge in the adjacent areas of the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas (90–1200 W). From August it began gradually to retreat southward. This is probably connected with intensification of cyclonic gyres of these seas, which leads to the increased ice export to the west to the area of Russkaya station and to the east to the area of Drake Passage. In September, the character of the ice belt development did not change in principle. The only exception was the Scotia Sea, where stabilizing of the ice edge was observed during the month. As a result, the increased in general background sea ice extent was formed in the Atlantic and the Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean and in Drake Passage by the end of winter (Table 4.1). On the contrary, the area of ice cover spreading in the Pacific Ocean sector was much less than the multiyear average due to the anomalously southern location of the ice edge in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas that reached 690 S at longitude of 100–1100 W.

In October, no significant growth of the ice belt occurred. Moreover, extensive zones of diverging appeared within it in the second half of the month in the vicinity of Russkaya station (120–1500 W) and in the areas of 00 and 1800 W, which started the anomalously early development of polynyas here in the open part of the Weddell and Ross seas. One should also note the final landfast ice decay that occurred during October, i.e., in general on the usual dates at Bellingshausen station in Ardley Bay and its complete clearance. In November, the early development of the processes of spring decay of the ice cover increased even more. A giant diverging in the “body” of the Atlantic ice massif appeared between 40 and 500 W. It spread from the ice edge southward from the 60th parallel up to 700 S. In the middle of the month although a very weak but again the unusually early melting of landfast ice began in the vicinity of Mirny Observatory and Progress station (Table 4.3), and in the end of the month ⎯ additional breakup of its marginal zone. 38

In December, the ice situation in the Southern Ocean was determined by a colossal cyclonic calm, when deep cyclones almost did not move to the Antarctic coast. Drifting ice under these conditions spread exclusively under the impact of the system of constant currents. As a result, over much of the Indian Ocean sector, similar to the past summer season, a very compact ice belt of increased up to 9–10 tenth concentration was formed being confined to the zone of action of the coastal Antarctic Current. Its northern boundary corresponded to the mean multiyear position (Fig. 4.1). A similar situation was observed in the Bellingshausen and Amundsen seas where the ice edge mainly retreated to the 70th parallel, which is on the contrary anomalous for this time of the year. This usually occurs only in February similar to what was observed last summer. However the external ice belt edge in the Atlantic sector and in the western half of the Pacific Ocean sector continued to be stably preserved far in the north in the area of 250 W and in the system of the cyclonic eddy of the Somov Sea due to intensification of the export advection of the ice cover. Along with this, the Weddell and Ross polynyas naturally reached the extremely enlarged size. They rapidly developed during the month in the areas of 63–680 S, 100 W–100 E and 72–780 S, 1600 W–1700 E. In December, the landfast ice breakup stopped practically everywhere and its melting sharply intensified only in the second half of the month. As a result, the thickness of unusually thin landfast ice at the roadstead of Mirny Observatory decreased by the end of December to a record low value of about 1 m (Table 4.3).

Table 4.1 Latitudinal location of the external northern edge of the drifting ice belt in the Southern Ocean from satellite data received at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations in 2005

Longitude February Мay September December Actual Mean Actual Mean Actual Mean Actual Mean location multiyear location multiyear location multiyear location multiyear 1500 W 66,4 66,2 61,6 62,1 64,4 65,6 1400 68,3 66,8 62,6 62,5 66.0 65,6 1300 71,4 70,5 67,3 67,4 64,4 63,9 68,3 66,0 1200 71,2 70,4 67,1 67,7 66,2 65,1 70,1 67,1 1100 70,4 70,6 66,1 68,2 69,2 65,3 70,3 67,6 1000 70,7 70,4 67,3 68,5 69,1 65,6 70,3 68,4 900 68,5 69,6 67,2 67,9 67,7 65,5 68,9 68,2 800 69,3 70,0 66,9 67,6 65,1 64,6 69,2 68,0 700 68,3 68,3 67,3 67,0 62,6 63,5 66,9 66,6 600 64,21 64.21 63,2 63,1 60,4 61,9 64,21 64,0 500 63,4 65.3 60,6 60,5 60,9 59,9 61,3 62,6 400 67,9 69,3 59,8 61,2 58,0 58,1 59,6 61,4 300 76,5 73,1 61,8 62,6 56,4 57,0 59,6 60,7 200 73,81 72,5 65,3 64,6 56,2 56,9 59,5 62,0 100 W 70,6 70,4 66,4 66,2 56,2 56,6 59,3 62,4 00 69,3 69,3 67,6 66,8 54,5 55,9 59,1 63,1 100 E 69,5 69,3 66,5 66,3 54,6 55,3 58,5 62,9 200 69,5 69,1 66,5 66,2 54,3 56,6 57,2 62,3 300 68,7 68,5 - 66,4 57,2 58,7 61,0 62,9 400 67,9 67,8 66,4 66,2 58,9 59,1 63,7 64,1 500 65,9 66,3 65,1 64,8 59,9 59,1 63,1 64,1 600 66,5 66,8 64,9 63,6 59,2 59,3 65,4 64,4 700 67,0 67,3 63,1 63,0 59,5 59,1 64,3 64,3 800 65,6 66,0 62,8 63,4 56,7 58,3 64,3 64,1 900 65,7 65,5 62,3 63,3 57,6 59,5 63,8 63,6 1000 64,4 64,4 62,7 62,9 58,4 59,9 63,3 62,8 1100 65,3 65,4 63,4 63,5 59,4 60,6 64,1 64,0 1200 65,7 65,6 63,5 63.8 60,7 61,3 64,6 64,3 1300 65,5 65,4 63.5 64,0 61,1 61,9 64,2 64,2 1400 66,71 66,5 63,8 63,9 60,6 62,3 65,1 64,9 1500 65,0 65,4 65,0 64,8 1600 65,0 67,5 62,4 64,5 1700 E 71,5 71,1

1 – Clear, ice is absent, instead of the ice edge position, the latitude of the Antarctic coast point at the place of its intersection by the corresponding meridian is presented 40

Table 4.2

Dates of the main ice phases in the areas of Russian Antarctic stations in January-March 2005

Station Landfast ice breakup Ice clearance Ice formation Landfast ice formation Freeze up (water body) Start Final First Final First Stable First Stable First Final Mirny Actual 14.12 16.01 17.02 17.02 17.03 17.03 20.03 28.03 05.04 19.04 2004 (roadstead) Multi- 23.12 05.02 12.02 1 11.03 12.03 30.03 02.04 14.04 17.04 year average Progress Actual 25.01 02.02 08.02 1 12.02 12.02 25.03 25.03 26.04 20.05 (Vostochnaya Bay) Multi- 30.12 13.01 1 1 16.02 17.02 06.03 08.03 26.03 26.03 year average Bellingshausen Actual 11.08 11.10 23.10 23.10 09.06 09.06 12.06 30.06 30.06 30.06 (Ardley Bay) Multi- 10.09 09.10 12.10 05.11 09.05 08.06 11.06 13.06 03.07 07.07 year average

1 – no phenomenon occurs

Table 4.3 Landfast ice thickness and snow depth on it (cm) in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations from data of profile measurements in 2005

Station Характеристики Month IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Ice Actual 48 62 68 102 120 130 137 130 99 Mirny Multiyear 46 67 84 101 119 137 152 156 149 average Snow 3 27 36 16 29 52 50 54 14 Progress Ice 60 79 102 121 141 158 165 163 1191 Snow 0 5 0 7 6 1 1 0 0

1 – from data of measurements at a constant point

Fig.4.1. Actual (solid line) and mean multiyear (dashed line) location of the external northern drifting ice edge in the Southern Ocean in December 2005.

5. TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2005

In 2005 the total ozone (TO) measurements were conducted at Mirny, Vostok and Novolazarevskaya stations. The annual variations of daily TO values for these stations are presented in Fig. 5.1. At Vostok station the observations began on 6 February, however the results of measurements in September and October require specifying and are not presented in this review.

400 400

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200

150 150

Total ozoneTotal (DU) 1 100 2 100 3 50 50

0 0 1.1 1.3 30.4 29.6 28.8 27.10 26.12 Date

Fig. 5.1. Mean daily total ozone values at Mirny (1), Novolazarevskaya (2) and Vostok (3) stations in 2005

Beginning from August the “ozone hole” area in 2005 was much greater than in 2004 whereas the minimum mean daily TO values were much less dropping almost to 100 Dobson units [1, 2]. In the first half of August, the “ozone hole” area was even greater than during the same period in all preceding years. At the same time the minimum TO values in the second half of July – first half of August were much less than in the previous years. The configuration, size and location of the “ozone hole” changed quite rapidly. At the Russian stations at the time of its development in 2005, the TO values even lower than in 2004 were observed (Fig.5.1) [2, 3]. The mean monthly values at Novolazarevskaya station in spring of 2005 were much lower than in spring of 2004 [2, 3]. In October, the mean monthly TO value (151 Dobson units) was lower than in September (156 Dobson units). The mean monthly values at Mirny station in August and October 2005 were also lower than in 2004. In 2005, the lowest over the entire observation history mean TO values were recorded at Mirny station: in February – 270 Dobson units, in December – 276 Dobson units and the mean monthly values in January (284 Dobson units) and March (266 Dobson units) are the second lowest values over the entire observation period. Fig. 5.2 shows the interannual TO variability at Mirny station in different seasons of the year and the corresponding trends, described by the polynomials to the second power. As can be seen, there was a significant decrease in ozone content in all seasons of the year under consideration from 1974. Fig. 5.3 presents data characterizing the interannual TO changes at three Russian Antarctic stations in September (a) and October (b). As can be seen from Figs. 5.2 and 5.3, the largest decrease in ozone concentration over the Antarctic is observed in the spring months. In the same months the TO variability from year-to-year is also much greater. The years 1988 and 2002 are still notable when the development of the “ozone hole” occurred according to the scenarios not typical of the last few years. In 1988, the decay of the circumpolar vortex was observed in early spring and as a result the TO in the Antarctic was at the level of values observed in the 1970s. In 2002 in September an explosive temperature increase and a sharp ozone concentration increase took place in the stratosphere over the Antarctic. 43

Around the 20th of September the “ozone hole” sharply decreased in size and was even divided into two separate areas. The lowest TO values in spring at Mirny station were observed in 2001 and in September – in 2001 and 1994 (the mean monthly TO values in these years were less than 200 Dobson units). At the same time at Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations, beginning from 1990, the mean monthly TO values in September were less than 200 Dobson units in the years for which observation data are available. This is attributed to the geographical distribution of the stations relative to the circumpolar vortex. A small amount of information at Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations does not allow a quantitative assessment of the tendency of ozone concentration change at these stations in September. It should be however noted that while the higher mean monthly TO values in 1988 in September were noted at all three stations, in 2002 the TO increase was observed only at Mirny station, as Novolazarevskaya station was in the zone of the “ozone hole” much of spring. In October, beside 1988 and 2002, sufficiently high TO values were also observed in 2000. The TO increase in October 2000 is related to modification of the circulation processes and the decay of the circumpolar vortex. In September, the meridional processes dominated and in October – zonal. As can be seen from the analysis of data of Mirny station, in spring up to the mid-1990s there was a sufficiently sharp TO decrease, then the rate of this decrease became slower although in some year, its significant fluctuations were observed (for example, in 2001 and 2002).

500 500 Fig. 5.2. Total ozone content at Mirny station in different seasons of the year 1 450 (1 – autumn, 2 – summer, 3 – spring) 2 450 3 400 2 400 R = 0,68

2 350 R = 0,68 350

300 300 R2 = 0,67 250 250

Total ozone(DU) Total 200 200

150 150

100 100

1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004

Years

Fig. 5.2. Total ozone content at Mirny station in different seasons of the year (1 – autumn, 2 – summer, 3 – spring)

500 a) 500 1 2 450 450 3 4 400 400

350 350 R2 = 0,56 300 300

250 250 200 200

Total ozone(DU) Total 150 150 100 100

50 50

0 0

500 500 b) 450 450

400 400 350 350 R2 = 0,58 300 300

250 250

200 200

Total ozoneTotal (DU) 150 150

100 100

50 50 0 0 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 Years

Fig.5.3. Total ozone content at Mirny (1), Novolazarevskaya (2) and Vostok (3) stations and the trend at Mirny station (4) described by the polynomial to the second power а) September, b) October

References 1.http://toms.gsfc.nasa.gоv/pub/eptoms/images/spole 2. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”. AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2005, No.3 (32), p.38-39. 3. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”. AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2004, No.3 (29), p.52-53.

6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2005

MIRNY OBSERVATORY

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

October November December Declination 87º01.1´W 87º07.5´W 87º05.6´W Horizontal component 13820 nT 13842 nT 13802 nT Vertical component -57454 nT -57441 nT -57408 nT

Mirny, October 2005

3 dB

max, 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Mirny, November 2005

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, December 2005

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.1. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations in Mirny Observatory. 46

Mirny, October 2005

7.5

00UT 5 12UT f0F2, MHz f0F2, 2.5

0 135791113151719212325272931

Mirny, November 2005

7.5

00UT 5 12UT f0F2, MHz f0F2, 2.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, December 2005

7.5

00UT 5 12UT f0F2, MHz f0F2, 2.5

0 135791113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.2. Daily variations of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer in Mirny Observatory.

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

October November December Declination 26º56.7´W 26º56.9´W 26º57.0´W Horizontal component 18604 nT 18614 nT 18621 nT Vertical component -34959 nT -34968 nT -34954 nT

Novolazarevskaya, October 2005

3 dB

max, max, 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, November 2005

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, December 2005

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.3. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations on Novolazarevskaya Station.

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

October November December Declination 26º56.7´W 26º56.9´W 26º57.0´W Horizontal component 18604 nT 18614 nT 18621 nT Vertical component -34959 nT -34968 nT -34954 nT

Vostok, October 2005

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, November 2005

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, December 2005

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.4. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations on Vostok Station. 49

PC-INDEX Vostok OCTOBER, 2005 date

01 16

02 17

03 18

04 19

05 20

06 21

07 22

08 23

09 24

10 25

11 26

12 27

13 28

14 29

15 30

00 04 08 12 16 20 24 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 15 UT UT

0 Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute

Fig. 6.5. 50

PC-INDEX Vostok NOVEMBER 2005 date

01 16

02 17

03 18

04 19

05 20

06 21

07 22

08 23

09 24

10 25

11 26

12 27

13 28

14 29

15 30

00 04 08 12 16 20 24 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 15 UT UT

0 Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute

Fig. 6.6. 51

PC-INDEX Vostok DECEMBER 2005 date

01 16

02 17

03 18

04 19

05 20

06 21

07 22

08 23

09 24

10 25

11 26

12 27

13 28

14 29

15 30

00 04 08 12 16 20 24 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 15 UT UT

0 Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute

Fig. 6.7. 52

Monitoring of the state of the magnetosphere and ionosphere in 2005

In 2005, the geophysical monitoring was carried out at Mirny, Vostok and Novolazarevskaya stations. At all stations the magnetic and riometer observations were made. The vertical sounding of the ionosphere was conducted only at Mirny station. In addition at Novolazarevskaya station measurements of the effects of space physical emission at the 200 to 600 nm wavelength range using a complex of instruments registering the photo current (micro-photo colorimeter, spectrometer Avantis, gas-filled photo-element SIF-45 of the Moscow Physical-Technical Institute) were made, intensities of alpha-decay of 239PU by the portable neutron monitor were measured, etc. At present, processing and analysis of these data are being carried out. At Vostok station, where beginning from 1998 atmospheric electricity measurements are carried out, new equipment for automated registration in the digital form of the variations of atmospheric electric field and atmospheric electric currents was installed and introduced into operation. The experiment including the near-pole stations Vostok, Dome C and South Pole is carried out in the framework of the International Project with participation of Russia, Australia, France and the USA. Geophysical observations (magnetic and riometer) began at the new Progress station. The magnetic perturbation in 2005 was statistically lower than in the previous years. According to data of magnetic observations at the Antarctic stations, the strongest perturbations were observed on 7-8 January, 17-19 January (world magnetic storm), 8 May, 15 May, 30 May, 24 and 31 August, 8-15 September (magnetic storm) and on 27 December. On these days at some time intervals the K-index at the Antarctic stations reached 8-9 points. Fig. 6.8 presents mean hourly variations of PC-index of magnetic activity calculated from data of Vostok station for 2005.

Fig. 6.8. Mean hourly variations of PC-index of magnetic activity calculated from data of Vostok station for 2005.

The Sun’s flare activity was accompanied by the intrusion of high-energy solar protons to the upper atmosphere of the Antarctic. The effects of these intrusions, the so-called phenomena of Polar Cap Absorption (PCA) were recorded by riometers at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations. The PCA phenomena were observed on 23 January, 8-19 September and 10-11 November. The most intense PCA was observed at the time of the magnetic storm that began on 8 September. The absorption at Vostok station reached 18 dB on 10 September. On average, the most magnetically calm periods in Antarctic in 2005 were February-April, June – July and October – December.

7. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2005

10 - 16.10.2005 Participation of personnel of Bellingshausen station in the search of Chilean polar explorers at O’Higgins Base and Argentine polar explorers who fell in a crevasse. The bodies of three deceased servicemen were shipped to Chile. The Argentine polar explorers were not found.

27.10.2005 Transfer of Bellingshausen station to the team of the 51st RAE. The station handed over by K.K. Levando, accepted by О.S. Sakharov.

29.10.2005 Flight from Moscow of IL-76 TD aircraft to Cape Town for further provision of flights under the international aviation program DROMLAN.

2.11.2005 Arrival to the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station of BT-67 aircraft leased by RAE in Canada for provision of seasonal work of the 51st RAE. Start of seasonal operations of the airfield, first technical flight of IL-76 TD aircraft of the 51st RAE.

11.11.2005 Departure from St. Petersburg of the research-expedition vessel of the AARI “Akademik Fedorov” under the program of the 51st RAE. Captain - Kaloshin М.S.

12-14.11.2005 The flight of aircraft IL-76 TD was carried out by the Cape Town – Novolazarevskaya – Vostok – Novolazarevskaya – Cape Town route. Certification of the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station by the inspection team of Rosavianadzor and Rosavia was made. The airfield was considered suitable for flights for the period up to 2010. Operation of air dropping of 28 platforms with fuel to Vostok station was made. Thirty tons of cargo were delivered. The work was carried out by the specialized organization “Pegas” (Moscow) by NIIGA pilots (leader- Yesayan R.А.) with the assistance of ALCI Company (SA) and RAE.

4.12.2005 Departure from St. Petersburg to the next Antarctic voyage under the program of the 51st RAE of the research vessel “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky”.

6.12.2005 Departure from Mirny to Vostok station of the main sledge-caterpillar traverse including 11 vehicles. Head of the traverse - Tsivarev А.G.

9.12.2005 Reactivation of the Molodezhnaya field base. Head of the base – Kiselev V.V.

11.12.2005 The flight of aircraft BT-67 from Progress station to Vostok station with the aim of delivering specialists for continuation of drilling of the subglacial Lake Vostok was made after which the aircraft returned to Novolazarevskaya station to continue operations under the DROMLAN program.

20.12.2005 Arrival of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” to the area of Molodezhnaya field base. Loading- unloading operations were carried out. The AN-2 aircraft from Molodezhnaya was transferred to the ship. For the seasonal period, 8 people were left at the base.

25-27.12.2005 Arrival of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” to the area of Progress station. Operations in the area of Progress station. Personnel of the 51st RAE was delivered to the station including the seasonal and the wintering teams of Vostok stations. Reactivation of the seasonal Druzhnaya-4 field base (responsible person – Volnukhin V.S.) The AN-2 aircraft was transferred from the ship to Progress station.

25.12 2005- - 01.01.2006 A series of 6 flights of aircraft ВТ-67 by the Progress – Vostok – Progress route was carried out for the purpose of delivery and transportation of the wintering teams of the 50th -51st RAE, delivery of instrumentation, equipment and food products for the wintering of the 51st RAE.

30.12.2005 – 04.01.2006 Operations of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” in the area of Mirny Observatory. One thousand tons of diesel fuel, other fuel-combustibles, transport vehicles and technical equipment were delivered to the station. Partial rotation of the wintering team was made.