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

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (37) October - December 2006 STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2007 FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING State Institution the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (37) October - December 2006

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg

2007

Authors and contributors

Editor-in-Chief M.O. Krichak (Russian Antarctic Expedition – RAE), Authors and contributors Section 1 M.O. Krichak (RAE), V.Ye. Lagun (Laboratory of Oceanographic and Climatic Studies of the Antarctic - LOCSA) 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://www.aari.aq/, 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 2006…………48 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2006……………………..……………………………...58 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2006……………………….…………………………….62 5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2006……………………………………………………………………..69 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2006…………..….…………………………………………………………………...72 7. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER 2006 ……………………...... 78

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 from 1998 on a quarterly basis. Section I in this issue contains monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations and upper-air sounding for the fourth quarter of 2006. 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 universal time coordinated (UTC) 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 2006 from 16 to 29 January, from 10 to 23 April, from 17 to 30 July and from 9 to 22 October at 00 h and 12 h UTC. In the meteorological tables, the atmospheric pressure values for the coastal stations are referenced to sea level. The atmospheric pressure at Vostok station is not reduced to 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 assessments of the state of the Antarctic environment based on the actual data for the quarter under consideration. 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 Progress 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. As the average and extreme values of the ice edge location, the updated data, which were obtained at the AARI for each month based on the results of processing the entire available historical set of predominantly national information on the Antarctic for a 25-30-year period 1971 to 2005, are used. Section 5 presents an overview of the total ozone (TO) concentration on the basis of measurements at the Russian stations. The measurements are interrupted in the wintertime at the Sun’s heights of less than 5o. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6 present the results of measurements under the geomagnetic and ionospheric programs at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations and from March 2006 also at Progress station.. The last Section (7) is traditionally devoted to the main directions of the logistical activity of RAE during the quarter under consideration.

RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OPERATION IN OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2006

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

FIELD BASE MOLODEZHNAYA

METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 40 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 67°40′ S; λ = 45°51′ E

FIELD BASE DRUZHNAYA-4

METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 115 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 69°44′ S; λ = 70°43′ E

FIELD BASE SOYUZ

METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 79 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 70°34′ S; λ = 68°47′ E

DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

OCTOBER 2006

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

averages (favg) Mirny, October 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 980,7 999,9 961,9 -1,1 -0,3 Air temperature, °C -14,2 -5,3 -26,8 -0,8 -0,4 Relative humidity, % 68 -1,0 -0,2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5,5 -1,3 -1,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,4 -0,1 -0,1 Precipitation, mm 27,4 -16,1 -0,4 0,6 Wind speed, m/s 9,7 32,0 -0,9 -0,6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 526,5 16,5 0,5 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 188 269 122

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.1. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny Observatory, October 2006.

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, October 2006 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

972 53 -15,5 4,7 925 431 -14,6 6,4 94 9 88 2 2 850 1067 -17,1 7,2 96 6 67 2 2 700 2515 -21,0 7,0 170 2 17 2 2 500 4934 -35,2 6,6 238 5 44 2 2 400 6454 -45,8 5,7 245 8 55 2 2 300 8312 -59,0 4,9 255 9 56 2 2 200 10777 -69,6 4,4 262 11 66 2 2 150 12483 -71,7 4,4 268 14 81 2 2 100 14862 -73,7 4,5 273 20 88 3 3 70 16958 -72,4 4,7 275 28 92 4 5 50 18965 -66,6 5,4 278 37 91 8 9 30 22139 -52,4 8,3 293 55 94 16 9 20 25172 -31,2 14,3 298 76 95 22 9

Table 1.3 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature Mirny, October 2006

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -27 -0,9 0,1 0,1 700 -22 -0,6 1,4 1,2 500 -10 -0,2 1,3 0,9 400 -2 0,0 0,8 0,5 300 0 0,0 -0,8 -0,5 200 -39 -0,6 -5,1 -2,4 150 -94 -1,1 -7,9 -2,6 100 -216 -1,9 -13,0 -2,7 70 -358 -2,2 -16,1 -2,6 50 -515 -2,4 -14,8 -2,2 30 -705 -2,3 -7,6 -1,1 20 -477 -1,3 7,7 1,2

100

200

300

400

500

PRESSURE, hPa 600

700

800

900 5 1015202530

OCTOBER 2006 B

Fig. 1.2. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/sec). Mirny Observatory, October 2006 (00 UTC).

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

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

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, October 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 979,1 1000,4 942,2 -5,0 -1,2 Air temperature, °C -15,6 -1,0 -25,9 -3,0 -2,0 Relative humidity, % 50 -1,6 -0,2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5,9 0,3 0,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,0 1,4 2,0 Precipitation, mm 63,4 34,4 1,0 2,2 Wind speed, m/s 7,5 31,0 -2,5 -1,8 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 496,0 39,0 1,1 1,1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 128 154 98

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.3. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Novolazarevskaya station, October 2006.

Table 1.5 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, October 2006 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

964 122 -17,0 8,6 925 428 -16,9 6,9 109 7 80 3 4 850 1057 -20,4 7,2 104 9 84 3 3 700 2472 -26,5 6,7 130 5 56 3 3 500 4841 -39,0 5,9 215 5 46 3 3 400 6336 -48,9 5,5 222 8 59 3 3 300 8172 -60,1 5,3 224 10 67 3 3 200 10627 -70,2 4,5 231 12 78 3 3 150 12319 -73,8 4,3 236 13 85 3 3 100 14653 -78,7 4,3 240 14 87 3 3 70 16666 -80,2 4,3 244 16 90 4 4 50 18561 -80,3 4,2 248 19 89 4 5 30 21485 -73,6 4,4 255 23 90 5 5 20 23869 -64,2 4,6 258 26 90 9 9

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, October 2006

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -57 -1,5 -1,9 -1,3 700 -68 -1,6 -0,9 -0,5 500 -80 -1,5 -0,3 -0,1 400 -85 -1,4 -0,3 -0,2 300 -91 -1,3 0,2 0,2 200 -100 -1,4 -1,0 -0,6 150 -127 -1,6 -3,2 -1,4 100 -195 -2,1 -8,1 -2,4 70 -308 -2,8 -11,2 -3,0 50 -449 -3,1 -14,0 -3,1 30 -691 -3,2 -14,4 -2,3 20 -912 -3,1 -13,1 -1,8

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

OCTOBER 2006 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

OCTOBER 2006 Fig. 1.4. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/sec). Novolazarevskaya station, October 2006 (00 UTC).

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

averages (favg)

Bellingshausen, October 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 991,0 1016,3 963,9 1,2 0,2 Air temperature, °C -1,5 2,5 -9,6 1,1 1,1 Relative humidity, % 92 3,8 1,3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,9 -0,1 -0,2 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 7,5 -0,5 -0,8 Precipitation, mm 51,8 2,2 0,1 1,0 Wind speed, m/s 7,7 15,0 -0,3 -0,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 45 Total radiation, MJ/m2 343,4 -60,6 -1,6 0,8

A B 4 1020 С 0 2 1010

0 hPa 1000 -2 990 -4 980 -6

-8 970 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA SURFACE AIRSURFACE TEMPERATURE,

-10 960 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 OCTOBER 2006 OCTOBER 2006 C D 100 25

95 20

90 15

10 85

5 80 SURFACE WIND SPEED,m/sec WIND SURFACE RELATIVE HUMIDITY, RELATIVE % 0 75 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 OCTOBER 2006 OCTOBER 2006 E F 20 36

16 32

12 28

24 4 SNOW COVER THICKNESS, cm DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 20 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 OCTOBER 2006 OCTOBER 2006

Fig. 1.5. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness(F) at Bellingshausen station, October 2006.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, October 2006 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 981,2 1006,5 951,2 Air temperature, 0C -12,5 -3,3 -25,0 Relative humidity, % 61 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,4 Precipitation, mm 16,2 Wind speed, m/s 5,2 27,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 431,6

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.6. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Progress station, October 2006.

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

Vostok, October 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Station surface level air pressure, hPa 615,5 630,5 601,9 -3,9 -0,9 Air temperature, °C -57,2 -39,9 -71,0 -0,2 -0,1 Relative humidity, % 55* -15,5 -3,5* Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4,5 0,1 0,1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 0,0 0,0 Precipitation, mm 1,8 -0,1 0,0 0,9 Wind speed, m/s 3,9 10,0 -1,6 -1,5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 270 Total radiation, MJ/m2 442,8 -16,2 -0,7 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU * * - observation data need to be checked.

A B -38 630 -40 С 0 -42 -44 -46 -48 hPa -50 620 -52 -54 -56 -58 -60 610 -62 -64 -66

-68 SURFACEPRESSURE, SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, -70 -72 600 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 OCTOBER 2006 OCTOBER 2006 C D 58 16

12 56

55 8

54 4 53 RELATIVE HUMIDITY, RELATIVE % SURFACE WIND SPEED,m/sec

52 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 OCTOBER 2006 OCTOBER 2006 E F 1.2 50

0.8 48

47 0.4

46 SNOW COVER THICKNESS, cm THICKNESS, COVER SNOW DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 45 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 OCTOBER 2006 OCTOBER 2006

Fig. 1.7. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness(F). Vostok station, October 2006.

O C T O B E R 2006

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (at Vostok station - groundАтм.давл level.,гПа pressure)

980.7980.7 979.1979.1 991.0991.0 981.2981.2 1100 900 900 615.5615.5 700 500 МирныйMirny Н- Novolazлазарев Беллинсг Bellings Прогресс Progress Восток Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.3 -1.2 0.2 -0.9

Air Тtemperature,-ра возд.,°С °C

-10 -10 -1.5 -30 -14.2 -15.6 -1.5 -12.5 -50 -14.2 -15.6 -12.5 -70 -70 -57.2-57.2 МирныйMirny Н- Novolazлазарев Беллинсг Bellings Прогресс Progress Восток Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.4 -2.0 1.1 -0.1

Relative humidity, %

80 8692 100 68 5861 3750 55 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.2 -0.2 1.3 -3.5

TotalTotal cloudiness, cloudiness, tenths tenths

8.9 7.1 10 5.5 5.9 4.5 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -1.3 0.3 -0.2 0.1

Precipitation, mm 44.8 50100 33.8 63.4 51.8 27.4 11.1 50 1.1 16.2 0.01.8 00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

f/fср. 0.6 2.2 1.0 0.9

MeanMean windwind speed,speed, m/sm/s

1520 9.7 10.8 7.5 7.57.7 10 6.0 6.15.2 3.23.9 105 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.6 -1.8 -0.3 -1.5

Fig.1.8. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. October 2006. 18

NOVEMBER 2006

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

averages (favg) Mirny, November 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 984,4 1005,1 966,1 -1,9 -0,5 Air temperature, 0C -6,8 1,4 -20,3 0,5 0,4 Relative humidity, % 79 11,2 3,1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,8 0,4 0,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 4,7 2,1 1,8 Precipitation, mm 43,8 10,4 0,4 1,3 Wind speed, m/s 10,7 28,0 0,9 0,7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 719,8 -53,2 -1,0 0,9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 243 361 143

A B 2 1000

С 0 0 -2 -4 990 hPa -6 -8 -10 980 -12 -14 -16 970 -18 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA

SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, -20 -22 960 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER 2006 C D 100 40

90 30

80 20 70

10 60 RELATIVE HUMIDITY,RELATIVE % SURFACE WIND SPEED,m/sec WIND SURFACE

50 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER 2006 E F 20 155

150 12

8 145

4 SNOW COVERTHICKNESS, cm DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 140 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.9. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness(F). Mirny Observatory, November 2006.

Table 1.11 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, November 2006 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

978 53 -8,8 3,3 925 486 -8,4 5,6 86 12 96 4 4 850 1138 -11,7 4,9 81 9 88 4 4 700 2604 -18,4 5,5 70 5 52 4 4 500 5045 -32,7 5,6 357 2 14 4 4 400 6580 -43,3 5,1 305 3 19 4 4 300 8464 -55,4 4,7 275 6 33 4 4 200 10985 -63,6 4,6 282 13 65 4 4 150 12745 -64,4 4,7 281 19 86 4 4 100 15209 -64,3 5,2 282 26 91 5 5 70 17401 -60,3 5,9 284 33 93 8 9 50 19525 -53,8 7,1 284 38 94 12 9 30 22919 -43,2 10,0 293 41 97 18 9

Table 1.12 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Mirny, November 2006 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -10 -0,3 0,8 0,8 700 -9 -0,3 0,6 0,5 500 -8 -0,2 0,0 0,0 400 -10 -0,2 -0,4 -0,3 300 -17 -0,3 -1,2 -0,8 200 -75 -0,9 -8,1 -2,6 150 -158 -1,5 -11,5 -2,9 100 -341 -2,3 -16,6 -3,8 70 -530 -2,8 -17,2 -4,8 50 -689 -3,4 -14,2 -5,1 30 -823 -3,8 -8,0 -2,8

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

NOVEMBER 2006 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa PRESSURE,

700

800

900 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.10. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Mirny Observatory, November 2006 (00 UTC).

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, November 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 983,8 992,2 967,5 -2,0 -0,5 Air temperature, 0C -5,4 3,1 -17,0 0,5 0,4 Relative humidity, % 46 -7,3 -1,6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5,6 -0,7 -0,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1,9 0,9 1,1 Precipitation, mm 5,9 -2,1 -0,2 0,7 Wind speed, m/s 10,2 29,0 0,8 0,4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 745,9 16,9 0,4 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 184 291 145

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.11. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Novolazarevskaya station, November 2006.

Table 1.14

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

Novolazarevskaya, November 2006 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

969 122 -6,5 10,4 925 483 -6,9 11,5 106 16 97 1 2 850 1134 -12,1 10,6 95 17 97 1 1 700 2592 -19,5 8,7 91 12 83 1 1 500 5037 -30,9 8,3 117 3 20 1 1 400 6580 -42,2 7,7 130 3 20 2 2 300 8462 -56,7 5,9 161 4 25 2 2 200 10934 -70,3 5,2 224 5 30 1 1 150 12628 -71,5 5,3 247 8 64 2 2 100 15008 -73,2 5,4 255 11 82 2 2 70 17102 -70,7 5,2 257 15 85 3 3 50 19118 -64,6 5,7 259 20 84 3 3 30 22198 -51,6 8,5 251 25 87 13 9

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, November 2006

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -17 -0,6 0,9 0,8 700 -15 -0,5 2,2 2,1 500 14 0,3 4,0 3,1 400 32 0,7 2,8 2,4 300 44 0,8 0,1 0,1 200 -9 -0,1 -8,7 -2,8 150 -103 -1,2 -11,5 -2,8 100 -279 -2,1 -17,4 -3,2 70 -482 -2,5 -19,6 -3,5 50 -676 -2,9 -18,0 -3,7 30 -1049 -3,5 -12,2 -3,1

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa 700

800

900 5 1015202530

NOVEMBER 2006 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.12. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Novolazarevskaya station. November 2006 (00 UTC).

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, November 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 982,9 1004,9 949,2 -4,7 -0,9 Air temperature, 0C -0,7 3,5 -4,5 0,5 0,6 Relative humidity, % 88 0,4 0,1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9,3 0,1 0,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8,5 0,5 0,6 Precipitation, mm 40,0 -8,4 -0,4 0,8 Wind speed, m/s 6,8 18,0 -0,2 -0,2 Prevailing wind direction, deg 315 Total radiation, MJ/m2 456,5 -82,5 -2,4 0,8

A B 4 1010 С 0 1000 2 hPa 990 0 980 -2 970

-4 960 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, AIR TEMPERATURE, SURFACE -6 950 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER 2006

C D 100 25

20 90

15 80 10

70 5 RELATIVE HUMIDITY,RELATIVE % SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec

60 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 NOVEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.13. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles). Bellingshausen station, November 2006.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, November 2006 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 983,1 1001,5 960,5 Air temperature, 0C -4,1 3,2 -17,4 Relative humidity, % 61 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,2 Precipitation, mm 0,8 Wind speed, m/s 6,4 22,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 660,0

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.14. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F) at Progress station, November 2006.

VOSTOK STATION

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

averages (favg) Vostok, November 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Station surface level air pressure, hPa 625,1 632,9 614,1 -0,6 -0,1 Air temperature, °C -43,2 -27,4 -60,9 -0,1 -0,1 Relative humidity, % 55* -16,9 -4,0* Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 2,9 -0,4 -0,5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 0,0 0,0 Precipitation, mm 4,4 3,5 5,0 4,9 Wind speed, m/s 5,9 11,0 0,7 0,8 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m2 885,5 -48,5 -1,4 0,9 Total ozone content (TO), DU *

* - observation data need to be checked.

A B -26 636 -28 С

0 -30 -32 632 -34 -36 hPa -38 628 -40 -42 -44 -46 624 -48 -50 -52 620 -54 -56 -58 616 SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, -60 SURFACEPRESSURE, -62 5 1015202530 612 NOVEMBER 2006 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 C 16

8 SURFACE WIND SPEED, WIND m/secSURFACE

4 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 2.5 E

1.5 48

1 47

0.5 46 DAILY PRECIPITATIONSUM, mm 0 cm THICKNESS, COVER SNOW 5 1015202530 45 NOVEMBER 2006 D 5 1015202530 NOVEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.15. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), mean (C, black circles), maximum (C, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (C, white circles), precipitation (D) and snow cover thickness (E). Vostok station, November 2006.

N O V E M B E R 2006

Atmospheric pressure at seasee level, hPhhPa (at Vostok AtmosphericAtmosphericstation - pressuregroundpressure level atat sea seapressure) level,level, hPahPa

977.0984.4992.0 983.5 983.8988.1 1000.1993.9 982.9978.3 983.1996.2 1100 900 617.0625.1630.0 700 500 Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.5 -0.5 -0.9 -0.1

Air temperature, °C

-100 -0.7 -30-50 -6.8-16.8 -5.4-22.8 -4.2 -18.2-4.1 -50-100 -67.0-43.2 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.4 0.4 0.6 -0.1

RelativeRelative humidity,humidity, %%

8079 8688 100 5861 3746 5555 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 3.1 -1.6 0.1 -4.0

TotalTotal cloudiness,cloudiness, tenthstenths 9.3 1010 6.8 5.6 7.2 2.9 55 00 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.6 -0.6 0.3 -0.5

MeanPrecipitation, wind speed, mm m/s

43.8 44.840.0 502050 10.833.8 6.0 7.5 6.111.1 10 5.91.1 0.8 3.20.04.4 00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 1.3 0.7 0.8 4.9

MeanMean wind wind speed, speed, m/s m/s 15 10.7 10.2 20 10.8 6.8 6.4 5.9 10 6.0 7.5 6.1 105 3.2 00 Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.7 0.4 -0.2 0.8

Fig. 1.16 . Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. November 2006. 33

DECEMBER 2006

MIRNY OBSERVATORY

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

averages (favg) Mirny, December 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 984,0 998,9 963,2 -5,7 -1,4 Air temperature, 0C -2,7 7,0 -10,4 -0,2 -0,2 Relative humidity, % 79 8,3 2,0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,0 0,1 0,1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,8 0,8 0,7 Precipitation, mm 5,1 -20,1 -0,9 0,2 Wind speed, m/s 6,6 25,0 -1,9 -1,5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 932,8 -10,2 -0,1 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 302 361 248

A B 8 995 С

0 6 990 4

2 hPa 985 0 -2 980 -4 975 -6 -8 970 -10 PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA SURFACE AIRSURFACE TEMPERATURE, -12 965 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 DECEMBER, 2006 DECEMBER 2006 C D 100 40

90 30

80 20

70 10 RELATIVE HUMIDITY, % SURFACE WIND SPEED, WIND m/sec SURFACE 60 5 1015202530 0 DECEMBER 2006 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 E F 2.5 150

2 145

1.5 140 1

135 0.5 SNOW COVER THICKNESS,cm COVER SNOW DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 130 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 DECEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.17. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny Observatory, December 2006.

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

Mirny, December 2006 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

977 53 -4,3 3,4 925 486 -5,1 4,6 92 12 95 0 1 850 1145 -9,2 3,9 86 11 92 0 1 700 2621 -17,6 4,0 84 6 69 0 0 500 5078 -30,5 5,1 74 1 14 0 0 400 6630 -41,2 4,3 315 1 5 0 0 300 8527 -53,7 4,0 282 2 14 0 0 200 11107 -55,2 5,1 294 5 56 0 0 150 12951 -53,4 6,4 301 8 75 1 1 100 15592 -46,8 8,7 313 12 76 1 1 70 18001 -39,4 11,4 318 12 70 2 5 50 20338 -35,1 14,2 328 10 72 2 9 30 23965 -30,6 17,4 7 9 92 18 9 20 26836 -29,2 17,2 35 9 81 20 9

Table 1.21 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, December 2006

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -49 -1,5 -0,3 -0,4 700 -56 -1,6 -1,2 -1,1 500 -66 -1,5 -0,5 -0,4 400 -72 -1,4 -1,2 -1,0 300 -88 -1,5 -2,3 -1,9 200 -151 -2,4 -7,7 -3,7 150 -217 -3,1 -8,2 -3,9 100 -298 -3,6 -4,2 -2,3 70 -318 -3,1 1,3 0,9 50 -267 -2,7 4,1 3,1 30 -161 -1,6 5,8 3,6 20 -115 -1,2 4,4 1,9

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPaPRESSURE, 700

800

900 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa PRESSURE,

700

800

900 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.18. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Mirny Observatory, December 2006 (00 UTC).

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

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

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, December 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 986,7 994,8 977,9 -3,6 -0,7 Air temperature, 0C -2,0 4,5 -7,9 -1,1 -1,4 Relative humidity, % 52 -5,8 -1,4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4,4 -1,9 -2,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,1 0,6 0,8 Precipitation, mm 5,6 -2,0 -0,1 0,7 Wind speed, m/s 5,7 15,0 -1,7 -1,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1011,3 103,3 1,4 1,1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 252 299 223

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.19. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Novolazarevskaya station, December 2006.

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

Novolazarevskaya, December 2006 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 -3,3 7,8 925 510 -4,0 7,8 101 7 91 2 4 850 1169 -9,0 7,3 96 8 88 2 2 700 2639 -18,9 6,5 104 7 82 2 2 500 5077 -32,1 5,9 165 1 13 2 2 400 6614 -42,8 5,4 209 3 28 2 2 300 8494 -55,5 4,7 237 4 37 2 2 200 11026 -60,4 5,2 225 7 61 2 2 150 12820 -59,1 6,1 224 8 76 3 3 100 15377 -55,0 7,4 211 9 84 3 3 70 17682 -47,8 9,3 196 9 77 3 3 50 19911 -40,5 11,5 200 7 60 13 9

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, December 2006 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -36 -0,8 -0,2 -0,2 700 -42 -0,9 -0,6 -0,5 500 -54 -0,9 -0,6 -0,4 400 -64 -1,0 -1,2 -0,8 300 -86 -1,2 -2,9 -2,3 200 -175 -2,3 -10,8 -3,4 150 -276 -3,1 -12,4 -4,0 100 -420 -3,9 -12,1 -5,1 70 -528 -4,0 -7,3 -3,6 50 -612 -4,4 -2,4 -1,7

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.20. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Novolazarevskaya station, December 2006 (00 UTC).

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Bellingshausen, December 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 985,5 1001,1 967,0 -5,9 -1,1 Air temperature, 0C 1,1 8,7 -3,3 0,7 1,4 Relative humidity, % 88 0,5 0,1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9,7 0,6 1,5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 7,5 -0,4 -0,6 Precipitation, mm 42,3 -6,8 -0,4 0,9 Wind speed, m/s 7,0 16,0 0,4 0,5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 503,4 -76,6 -2,0 0,9

A B 10 1000 С 0 8

6 hPa 990 4

2 980 0

-2 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA SURFACE AIRSURFACE TEMPERATURE, -4 970 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 DECEMBER, 2006 DECEMBER 2006 C D 100 24

16 90 12

85 8

80 4 SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec SPEED, WIND SURFACE RELATIVE HUMIDITY, % HUMIDITY, RELATIVE

0 75 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 DECEMBER 2006 E F 8

2 DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM,mm 0 5 1015202530 DECEMBER 2006 Fig. 1.21. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Bellingshausen station, December 2006.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, December 2006 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 986,2 996,1 975,7 Air temperature, 0C -0,5 4,5 -6,0 Relative humidity, % 58 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1,8 Precipitation, mm 0,6 Wind speed, m/s 3,9 13,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 927,1

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.22. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Progress station, December 2006.

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

averages (favg) Vostok, December 2006 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Ground level air pressure, hPa 629,1 638,2 622,8 -4,7 -1,1 Air temperature, °C -32,6 -22,1 -38,1 -0,7 -0,4 Relative humidity, % 59 -13,4 -3,0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 1,6 -1,6 -1,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 -0,2 -1,0 Precipitation, mm 0,0 -0,6 -0,6 0,0 Wind speed, m/s 1,5 8,0 -3,0 -3,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1202,6 -29,5 -0,7 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU *

* - observation data need to be checked.

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.23. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, air pressure (B) at the ground level, relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F) at Vostok station, December 2006.

D E C E M B E R 2006

AtmosphericAtmospheric pressure pressure at seasee at level, sea level, hPhhPa (athPa Vostok station - ground level pressure) 977.0 983.5 993.9 978.3978.3 11001100 984.0992.0 986.7988.1 1000.1985.5 996.2986.2 11001100900900 617.0617.0 900700700900 630.0629.1 700500500700 500500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -1.4 -0.7 -1.1 -1.1

Air temperature, °C

00 -10 -20-50 -2.7-16.8 -2.0 -4.2 -0.5 -30 -22.8 -18.2 -40-100 -67.0-32.6 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.2 -1.4 1.4 -0.4

Relative humidity, %

8079 8688 100 58 59 3752 55 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 2.0 -1.4 0.1 -3.0

TotalTotal cloudiness, cloudiness, tenths tenths 9.7 7.0 10 4.4 6.2 5 1.6 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.1 -2.7 1.5 -1.6

Precipitation, mm 44.842.3 5045 33.8 30 5.6 11.1 15 5.1 1.1 0.6 0.0 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/fср. 0.2 0.7 0.9 0.0

Mean wind speed, m/s

1020 10.86.6 5.7 7.0 6.0 7.5 6.13.9 105 3.21.5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-f )/σ ср. f -1.5 -1.0 0.5 -3.3

Fig.1.24. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. December 2006. 48

2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2006

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the air temperature conditions in October-December 2006 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages and their anomalies and the normalized surface air temperature anomalies at the Russian and non- Russian meteorological stations. The actual data of the Russian Antarctic Expedition 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 as compared with September, the above zero anomalies of air temperature were observed only in the vicinity of the Queen Victoria Land and the Antarctic Peninsula (Fig.2.1). Here, at the Dumont d’Urville and Rothera stations, the anomalies of mean monthly air temperature were 2.2 °С (1.3 σ) and 3.2 °С (1.4 σ). The main cold center was located in the area of the South Pole and the Queen Maud Land. At Amundsen-Scott, Novolazarevskaya and Syowa stations, large below zero anomalies of air temperature equal to -4.7 °С (-2.0 σ), -3.0 °C (-2.0 σ) and -2.7 °С (-2.0 σ), respectively were observed. October 2006 was the coldest at Amundsen-Scott and Syowa stations for the entire period of operation of these stations, and at Novolazarevskaya station – the second coldest October for the period of station operation. In November, there was an increase in the number of stations with the above zero anomalies of air temperature. Small above zero anomalies of air temperature (less than 1 σ) were observed at the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica in the area of the Commonwealth Sea (Mawson and Davis stations), at the coast of the Queen Mary Land (Mirny station), and also in the area of the South Pole (Amundsen-Scott station). The main heat center was preserved in the vicinity of the Orkney Islands and the Weddell Sea. At the core of the center near Orcadas station, a temperature anomaly comprised 1.8 °С (1.8 σ). A small cold center was observed in the area of the Wilkes Land at Casey station (-1.4 °С, -1.1 σ). In December, the below zero anomalies of air temperature have spread to the central part of the continent, and to the entire coast of East Antarctica. The cold center core was located in the area of the Mawson (-1.4 °С, -1.5 σ), Amundsen- Scott (-1.9 °С, -1.1 σ) and Novolazarevskaya (-1.1 °С, -1.4 σ) stations. In the vicinity of the Orkney Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, the heat center persisted. At the core of the center in the vicinity of Orcadas station, there was a large positive air temperature anomaly of 1.4 °С (2.7 σ). December 2006 at Orcadas station was the third warmest December for the period from 1957. The statistically significant linear trends of long-period changes of mean monthly air temperature in these months are detected only at Vostok station (Fig.2.2-2.4). The air temperature increase at Vostok station in November and December was about 1.44 °С/45 years and 1.38 °С/46 years, respectively (Table 2.1). During the last decade, no statistically significant linear air temperature trend is detected at the Russian stations. The atmospheric pressure at the Russian stations in October-December was characterized by predominantly small (about 1 σ) negative anomalies. Only at Bellingshausen station in October, a small positive air pressure anomaly was observed that comprised 1.2 hPa (0.2 σ). The largest air pressure anomaly at the Russian stations in these months was recorded in December (-5.7 hPa (-1.4 σ)) at Mirny station. But it was also only the eleventh among the negative anomalies for the period since 1957. The statistically significant linear trends of long-period changes of mean monthly atmospheric pressure in these months are detected only in December at Mirny station (Fig.2.2-2.4). The pressure decrease in December at this station was about 4.0 hPa/50years. Precipitation at the Russian stations in the months under consideration was characterized by its non-uniform fallout. Abundant precipitation was noted in October at Novolazarevskaya station (about 2 monthly multiyear averages) and in November at the inland Vostok station (about 5 monthly multiyear averages). In December, the amount of precipitation at all Russian stations was less than a multiyear average. The smallest amount of precipitation was recorded at Novolazarevskaya station (about 0.2 of the monthly multiyear average), and at Vostok station, precipitation was absent at all.

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 Over the entire observation period Novolazarevskaya оС/10 years 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.22 -0.11 0.27 0.34 0.46 0.25 0.19 -0.04 0.04 0.19 1961-2006 % 25.5 24.6 22.4 15.8 6.4 15.9 16.0 26.1 17.4 15.1 4.5 6.7 41.3 Р 90 90 - - - - - 90 - - - - 99 Mirny оС/10 years -0.11 0.02 0.02 0.02 -0.25 0.25 0.12 0.23 0.43 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.06 1957-2006 % 14.2 2.7 2.3 1.7 13.9 16.6 6.3 11.6 25.3 3.4 3.6 2.8 12.8 Р ------90 - - - - Vostok оС/10 years 0.17 -0.02 -0.05 0.07 -0.15 0.10 0.11 0.26 -0.09 -0.11 0.32 0.30 0.08 1958-2006 % 16.3 2.4 3.3 4.2 7.6 5.1 4.5 10.6 4.1 9.3 31.1 26.9 13.3 Р ------95 90 - Bellingshausen оС/10 years 0.28 0.25 0.25 0.35 0.71 0.45 0.38 0.79 0.02 -0.02 0.04 0.02 0.31 1968-2006. % 50.5 45.4 32.2 28.1 37.9 23.5 14.2 37.3 1.6 0.5 5.8 4.2 43.5 Р 99 99 95 90 95 - - 99 - - - - 99 1997–2006 гг. Novolazarevskaya оС/10 years 0.83 0.56 0.85 0.56 -0.99 -1.88 -3.47 3.62 -0.44 1.03 -0.87 1.41 0.12 % 39.3 20.5 18.9 7.1 12.4 36.5 36.5 51.9 15.2 16.7 21.4 34.8 05.9 Р ------Mirny оС/10 years 2.68 0.82 1.66 5.49 -1.38 -1.65 -0.63 1.16 0.87 2.32 0.38 1.72 1.14 % 43.3 19.7 38.4 66.4 14.9 29.6 7.8 22.1 13.2 45.9 12.4 38.0 42.7 Р - - - 95 ------Vostok оС/10 years 1.98 0.18 2.73 4.51 2.22 0.37 4.08 4.65 5.27 4.20 -1.92 1.10 2.38 % 41.5 07.4 55.0 47.7 21.7 5.3 46.8 51.3 65.3 62.5 44.1 17.3 76.9 Р ------95 90 - - 95 Bellingshausen оС/10 years -0.75 0.03 -0.47 -1.16 -1.10 -3.23 0.36 0.80 4.75 0.50 0.61 -0.27 -0.01 % 38.1 01.5 14.9 28.9 22.6 39.3 7.7 13.4 73.4 11.8 24.7 11.7 00.1 Р ------99 - - - - Note: First line is the linear trend coefficient; Second line is the dispersion value explained by the linear trend; Third line is P=1-α, where α is the level of significance (given if P exceeds 90%).

Considering the air temperature regime for 2006 in general, we shall note a frequent alternation of the centers of the above zero and below zero anomalies. The most extensive by area centers of below zero anomalies were detected in January- February, October and December, and the centers of above zero anomalies – in April, August and December. The above zero anomalies occurred in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula. We shall remind the dynamics of location of the heat and cold centers in 2006. In January-February, there was an extensive cold center in the territory of Antarctica. In January, the values of the below zero anomalies of air temperature were less than 1σ. The cold center core was located at the Indian Ocean coast in East Antarctica in the area of the Wilkes Land ( Casey station, -0.8°С, -0.9 σ). В February, the cold center core moved to the Atlantic coast of Antarctica to the Queen Maud Land area (Halley station, -2.6°С, -2.0 σ). The centers of the above zero anomalies in these months were located in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula with a center near the Bellingshausen station (1.5 °С, 2.5 σ in January, 1.0 °С, 1.4 σ in February). In March, there was an increase of the number of stations with the above zero anomalies of air temperature. The main heat center was preserved in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula. At the core of the center near Bellingshausen station the air temperature anomaly comprised 2.3 °С (2.6 σ). A new heat center was formed at the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica with a core near Davis station (1.1 °С, 0.7 σ). The below zero air temperature anomalies recorded at the stations in March comprised less than -0.5 σ. Only at the cold center core at Amundsen-Scott station the temperature anomaly was -2.5 °С (-1.4 σ). In April, there was a sharp decrease of the number of stations with the below zero air temperature anomalies. Small by area cold centers were observed only in the Ross Sea near McMurdo station (-5.4 °С (-2.6 σ)) and in the area of the east coast of the Weddell Sea at Halley station (-2.6 °С (-1.0 σ)). In the coastal part of East Antarctica, in the inland regions and in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula, the above zero air temperature anomalies were observed. The main core of the heat 50 center was in the coastal part of the Indian Ocean sector of East Antarctica. Here, near Mirny station, the air temperature anomaly was 4.9 °С (2.6 σ). In May, the above zero air temperature anomalies at most stations gave way to the below zero temperature anomalies. The core of the center of cold anomalies was located in the coastal part of the Indian Ocean sector of East Antarctica. Here in the Mirny station area, the cold anomaly was -5.6 °С (-2.2 σ). In the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula, the above zero mean monthly air temperature anomalies in May, similar to the previous months of 2006, were preserved. The core of the center of positive anomalies was in the area of Bellingshausen station equaling 3.4 °С (1.8 σ). In June, the mean monthly air temperature anomalies at the Antarctic stations were predominantly less than 1 σ. The cold centers, small in area, were observed in the vicinity of the Adelie Land regions (Dumont d’Urville station, -1.1 °С, -0.4 σ) and in the eastern part of the Weddell Sea coast (Halley station, -1.0 °С, -0.5 σ). In the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula, the above zero air temperature anomalies in June persisted. In July, the number of stations with the above zero anomalies of mean monthly air temperature was observed to decrease. The main heat center was located in the area of the Weddell Sea (Halley station, 3.7 °С, 1.1 σ) and the Orkney Islands (Orcadas station, 3.3 °С, 1.1 σ). In the vicinity of the Queen Maud Land and the Polar Plateau, a cold center was formed. Here at Syowa, Novolazarevskaya and Amundsen-Scott stations, the anomalies of air temperature comprised -6.2 °С (-2.4 σ), -5.5 °С (-2.0 σ) and -5.4 °С (-2.2 σ), respectively. July 2006 at Syowa and Novolazarevskaya stations was the coldest July over the entire period of operation of these stations. In August, the heat center was situated almost over the entire continental part of Antarctica. The largest above zero air temperature anomalies were observed at Novolazarevskaya (5.4 °С, 2.3 σ) and McMurdo (6.2 °С, 1.6 σ) stations. In the area of the Orkney Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, a cold center was located. At the core of the center at Orcadas station, the air temperature anomaly was -7.9 °С (-2.6 σ). In September, small (less than 1 σ) air temperature anomalies were observed at the entire continent. In the area of the Orkney Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, the cold center was preserved. At the core of the center at Orcadas station, the air temperature anomaly comprised -3.3 °С (-1.4 σ). Among the above zero air temperature anomalies the highest anomaly was observed in the Ross Sea area at McMurdo station (2.5 °С, 0.8 σ). In October and December, as shown above, the below zero air temperature anomalies prevailed at the stations of Antarctica and in November – the above zero anomalies. The main core of the cold center was located in the vicinity of the South Pole (October) and in the western area of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica (December). The main heat center in October and December was preserved in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Orkney Islands. In general in 2006, the mean annual air temperature at the stations of Antarctica was close to a multiyear average (Fig. 2.1). Normalized anomalies at most stations were not greater than (1 σ). Only in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula at Bellingshausen station, a large above zero anomaly (1.5 σ) was noted, while in the South Pole area at Amundsen-Scott station, a large below zero anomaly of mean annual air temperature was recorded comprising (-1.8 σ). Fig. 2.5 shows deviations of the annul variations of air temperature and atmospheric pressure in 2006 at the Russian stations from mean multiyear values for the period 1961-1990. One can see that in 2006, small anomalies of mean monthly air temperature prevailed at the stations. Cases of large anomalies (more than 1.5 σ) were few. Large above zero anomalies in 2006 were observed in April at Mirny (4.9 °С, 2.6 σ), in January (1.5 °С, 2.5 σ), March (2.3 °С, 2.6 σ) and May (3.4 °С, 1.8 σ) at Bellingshausen, and in August (5.4 °С, 2.3 б) at Novolazarevskaya stations. Large below zero air temperature anomalies were observed at Mirny station in May (-5.6 °С, -2.2 σ) and at Novolazarevskaya station in October (-3.0 °С, -2.0 σ). Comparison of the annual variations of mean monthly air temperature variations at the Russian stations in 2006 with a multiyear average allowed revealing new extreme values of mean monthly air temperature. So in March, the mean monthly temperature at Bellingshausen station (2.6 °С) was the highest for the entire observation period, beginning from 1968. July 2006 at Novolazarevskaya station was the coldest July (-22.8 °С), and August was the warmest August (-12.9 °С) for the entire period of operation of this station. In the annual variations of atmospheric pressure in 2006 at the Russian stations, one observes dominance of small anomalies mainly of the negative sign. Large negative pressure anomalies in 2006 were recorded at Bellingshausen station in March (-9.4 hPa, -2.3 σ); at Mirny station in May (-8.3 hPa, -1.6 σ) and July (-9.0 hPa, -1.5 σ); at Novolazarevskaya station in May (-12.1 hPa, -2.3 σ); and at Vostok station in May (-9.2 hPa, -1.7 σ). Large positive air pressure anomalies were recorded at Bellingshausen station in February (6.1 hPa, 2.3 σ). It is noted that at Bellingshausen station in March, such low value of mean monthly atmospheric pressure as 981.5 hPa was recorded for the first time. The mean annual air temperature in general for the period 1957-2006 at most stations of Antarctica is characterized by the tendency of air temperature increase. Among the Russian stations, the statistically significant trends of mean annual air temperature were detected at Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations (Fig. 2.6, Table 2.1). At Bellingshausen station, in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula, the air temperature increase was about 1.2 °С/38 years (from 1969). 51

At Novolazarevskaya station, in the area of the Atlantic coast of East Antarctica, the mean annual temperature increased by 0.9 °С/45 years (from 1961). At Mirny station, in the vicinity of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica and the inland Vostok station, the trend values are statistically insignificant; however the trend sign is positive. In some months, the mean monthly air temperature at the Russian stations manifests the statistically significant long-period changes. Thus, at Bellingshausen station, the statistically significant increase of mean monthly air temperature occurs in January, February, March, April, May and August, at Novolazarevskaya station – in January, February and August, at Mirny station – in September and at Vostok station – in November and December. The highest trend values at the stations are mainly detected in the cold months. Thus at Novolazarevskaya station, the value of the trend of mean monthly air temperature in August is 0.46 °С/10 years (2.1 °С/46 years) and at Bellingshausen station 0.79 °С/10 years (3.1 °С/39 years)(Table 2.1).

Summarizing the results of monitoring the meteorological conditions at the stations of Antarctica for 2006, we note that small anomalies of mean annual air temperature took place at most stations. The largest anomalies were observed at the inland Amundsen-Scott station (-1.8 σ) and at Bellingshausen station (1.5 σ). Estimates of the linear trend of mean annual air temperature at the Russian stations of Antarctica show the main tendency for the period 1957-2006 to be a tendency towards warming.

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.-:GUNiO МО RF. St. Petersburg 2005.

Fig. 2.1. Mean monthly and mean annual values (1) of surface air temperature, their anomalies (2) and normalized anomalies (3) in October (X), November (XI) and December (XII) 2006 and in general for 2006 (I-XII) from data of stationary meteorological stations in the South 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 2006. 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 2006. 57

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

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2006

As noted in the previous review, the weather character in 2006 over the Antarctic was determined by the dominance of meridional processes. With the onset of spring the activity of the west-easterly transports at temperate and high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere increased. In October, the frequency of occurrence of the zonal circulation form Z [1,3,7] was almost close to a multiyear average, while a large frequency of occurrence of the processes of meridional circulation form Mb, that was observed in August and September, significantly decreased although remaining slightly above a multiyear average (Table 3.1). The area of the Bellingshausen Sea was for many days under the influence of the subtropical High ridge, its center being located over the southeastern Pacific Ocean. The other Antarctic regions, including the Antarctic Dome, were typically in the zone of significant negative air pressure anomalies. Active cyclonic centers were formed over the Weddell Sea with a well-developed trough to the southern areas of South America, over the Cosmonauts Sea and to the east of the Mawson Sea (between 120 and 130° E). Since no spreading of the high air pressure ridges from the north was observed in East Antarctica, insignificant below zero air temperature anomalies were noted at the coastal stations. At Vostok and Amundsen-Scott stations, the average air temperature for a month was also below the multiyear average. Significant positive anomalies of the amount of precipitation were noted at Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations.

Table 3.1 Frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms in the Southern Hemisphere and their anomalies in October-December 2006

Month Frequency of occurrence (days) Anomalies (days) Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb October 12 10 9 -1 -1 2 November 12 12 6 0 1 -1 December 14 10 7 1 -1 0

In November, the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes continued to increase whereas the frequency of occurrence of meridional processes Mb decreased (Table 3.1). The cyclonic activity belt was continuous almost around entire Antarctica. One can only note the activity of the East-Australian High with the ridges directed to D’Urville Sea. The background atmospheric pressure was decreased not only in the coastal areas, but also at the Antarctic Dome. Intensification of cyclogenesis in the Indian Ocean sector resulted in increased cloudiness, snowfalls and wind increases, which was clearly manifested, in particular at Mirny station (see section 1), and also during the sledge-caterpillar traverse to Vostok station. In the Antarctic Seas of the indicated sector, such character of the atmospheric processes contributed to a sufficiently rapid diverging of the ice massifs. The air temperature at all coastal stations of the sector was around a multiyear average. In December, similar to November, the zonal processes were developed within a multiyear average (by 1 day exceeding the multiyear average). As can be seen from Table 3.1, the meridional processes were also not characterized by the anomalous frequency of occurrence. The belt of negative air pressure anomalies was especially well-developed in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean sector of the Antarctic, but the values of anomalies were not as large as in November. Cyclones passed along zonal trajectories more to the north than in November. The weather conditions at the polar stations and at the Dome are usually sufficiently quiet at such processes [8]. This was also confirmed in the month under consideration: the main part of the traverse to Vostok station was under the favorable conditions. Stable weather with a weak wind prevailed in the area of Prydz Bay, which contributed to successful operations of aviation for fulfilling the tasks of geologists (АN-2 and Mi-8). In 2006, the main peculiarity of atmospheric circulation in the belt of temperate and subtropical and sub- Antarctic latitudes was some dominance of meridional processes of Mb form compared with a multiyear average. An insignificant decrease of the frequency of occurrence of the processes of Z form and Ма, form was accompanied with the increased inter-latitudinal air exchange at the increased frequency of occurrence of the processes of Mb forms (Table 3.2). As can be seen from the table, the indicated peculiarity was pronounced in winter and in early spring and namely in May and June, and also during the period August to October. In general for 2006, the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes was by 14 days less than a multiyear average. The frequency of occurrence of the processes of Ма form was also less than a multiyear average (by 3 days). The positive anomaly of development of the processes of Mb form was 17 days. Comparing these data with the characteristics of preceding years, it is noted that the tendency of high frequency of occurrence of Mb processes is observed beginning from 2001. 59

In 2002, this anomaly was very significant comprising 38 days (Fig. 3.1). The decreased activity of zonal processes was manifested in 2002 and 2003. If the frequency of occurrence of the processes of Ма form is taken into account, it can be concluded that by the circulation conditions the year 2006 is most close to 2005.

Table 3.2. Frequency of occurrence of the forms of atmospheric circulation (А) and its anomalies (В) in 2006 Z M M Month a b А В А В А В January 16 +2 10 -1 5 -1 February 12 -2 10 +2 6 0 March 13 -2 12 +2 6 0 April 13 +1 8 -2 9 +1 May 5 -4 14 -0 12 +4 June 7 0 12 -3 11 +3 July 9 -1 15 +3 7 -2 August 8 -4 11 0 12 +4 September 8 -4 8 -3 14 +7 October 12 -1 10 -1 9 +2 November 12 0 12 +1 6 -1 December 14 +1 10 -1 7 0 Year 129 -14 132 -3 104 +17

The increased frequency of occurrence of the processes of Mb form compared to the multiyear average is expressed in a specific way in some preceding years beginning from 1996, including the year 2001. So, for the last few years including 2001, the development of the macro-process Z+Mb was observed over the Southern Hemisphere. As can be seen from the plot (Fig. 3.1), the negative anomalies of frequency of occurrence of Mb form were observed only in 1999 and 2000. Whether this process is the beginning of the new stage of development of the atmospheric circulation of the Southern Hemisphere will be shown by further observations. A few words about the comparison of the general atmospheric circulation in both Earth’s hemispheres. The main forms of atmospheric circulation W, C, E [2,4] established by Professor G.Ya. Vangengeim for the Northern Hemisphere and their analogues for the Southern Hemisphere – Z, Ma and Mb forms allow us to make such a comparison.

days 50 40 30 20 10 0

-10 -20 -30 -40 -50 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Years

1996 Years 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 10 - - - -Z 8 17 36 -11 10 -38 -20 5 -24 -14 -30 …. Ma -8 -42 -18 14 -34 0 5 -11 -11 -3 ___ 20 ______Mb 0 25 -18 -3 24 38 15 7 35 17 Fig. 3.1. Anomalies (in days) of the frequency of occurrence of Z, Ma and Mb circulation forms from 1996 to 2006 60

In recent years in the Northern Hemisphere after several decades of dominance of the meridional Е and С forms, the frequency of occurrence of the processes of the western W form, which occurs non-uniformly with separate rises and some drops, began to increase. Thus, in 2001, the level of development of these processes was higher than a multiyear average by 23 days and in 2002 – by 16 days. In 2003, the frequency of occurrence of all three forms was close to a multiyear average. In 2004, the frequency of occurrence of the processes of W form exceeded the multiyear average by 16 days, in 2005 – by 7 days and in 2006 - by 8 days [4]. In the Southern Hemisphere, the zonal processes in recent years were developed within a multiyear average and sometimes less than a multiyear average (mean multiyear values of the frequency of occurrence of Z, Ma and Mb forms are published in [5]). Thus, the fluctuations of zonality for the last three years were in the opposite phase: in the Northern Hemisphere, there was their active development and in the Southern Hemisphere – a significant decrease of their frequency of occurrence.

150 Z Mb Ma

100

0 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 quency of occurrence(days)

-50

Integral value of the fre -100

-150

Fig. 3.2. Integral values of anomaly of the frequency of occurrence of Z, Ma and Mb forms of atmospheric circulation for 1964 – 2005 (accumulated sums by months, in days).

As noted above, a peculiarity of the current period is an anomalous development of the processes of Mb form. In order to follow the peculiarities of formation of the circulation epochs for the entire period, for which a catalogue of the atmospheric circulation forms in the Southern Hemisphere was prepared, anomalies of the frequency of occurrence of the circulation forms were obtained from 1964 [6]. It is convenient to present the interannual fluctuations of their monthly values in the form of integral curves (Fig.3.2). As can be seen from the plot, the integral curve of Z form during the period 1964-1972 was at the stage of growth. During the subsequent decades, a period of prolonged, sometimes intensive, sometimes lower decrease was observed, which continued until 1995. After some growth of the integral curve in 1996-1999, the decrease of the frequency of occurrence of the processes of Z form was continued, including 2006. During these last years, the tendency of the development of the processes of Mb form is close to the opposite phase of development of the zonal form processes. It is noted that the periods of activity of the processes of Мb form were observed from 1968 to 1973 and then from 1977 to 1984. The current epoch of the increased development of these processes relative to a multiyear average, began in 1996 and goes on with a different degree of intensity (for example, a decrease in 1999).

References: 1. Atlas of the Oceans. The Antarctic. GUNiO MО RF. − St. Petersburg, 2005. − P. 324. 2. Vangengeim G.Ya. Grounds of the macro-circulation method of long-range meteorological forecasts for the Arctic. – Proc. AARI, 1952, v. 34, 314p. 3. Dydina L.А., Rabtsevich S.V., Ryzhakov L.Yu., Savitsky G.B. Atmospheric circulation forms in the Southern Hemisphere//Proc. AARI. −1976. − V. 330, − P. 5−16. 4. Catalogue of macro-synoptic processes by the classification of G.Ya. Vangengeim from 1891. – With the introduction and edited by Bolotinskaya M.Sh. and Ryzhakov L.Yu. L., Rotaprint AARI, 1964, 159p. 5. Ryzhakov L.Yu., Rabtsevich S.V. Results of the development of the method of long-range meteorological forecasts for winter for the Antarctic. Proc. AARI, 1999, v. 441, p. 59-72. 6. Ryzhakov L.Yu. Multiyear tendencies of the frequency of occurrence of the forms of atmospheric circulation in 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. 7. Ryzhakov L.Yu. Some characteristics of the anomalous development of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere at the cold time of the year//Proc. AARI. −1976. − V. 330. − P. 17−29.

8. The International Antarctic Weather Forecasting Handbook. Eds. Turner J. and Pendlebury S., British Antarctic Survey, 2004. 664 p.

4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN ACCORDING TO DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2006

A distinguishing feature of the Antarctic summer of 2005-2006 was a cyclonic calm that began in December 2005 and continued until the end of January. As a result, the sea ice distribution was formed almost exclusively under the impact of the system of constant currents at the background of active melting, which was anomalously intensified in the areas of the Weddell and Ross polynyas. One should note their unusual connection with the open ocean (disappearance of the external ice belt) in the regions of 5°E and 160°W, which took place, correspondingly in the middle of December and in the middle of January. In addition, under the weak wind conditions inside the ice belt in the Cosmonauts Sea, one observed the formation of an extensive polynya in the first part of January confined to the central area of the local cyclonic gyre. As a result, there was a sharp decrease of sea-ice extent of the Southern Ocean already by the middle of January, which remained mostly unchanged up to the end of February (Fig.4.1). The Atlantic ice massif was developed according to a multiyear average and occupied a classical western location along the entire Antarctic Peninsula. The Pacific Ocean massif, traditionally opposite to the Atlantic massif was characterized by the decreased dimensions, especially in the area of Russkaya station. The Balleny ice massif was also subjected to a significant decrease and by the end of the summer, it was represented only by its core in the extreme west of the Somov Sea between 150–155°E with the northern boundary around 65.5°S. In the Indian sector the sea-ice extent of the marginal seas mainly corresponded to mean multiyear values. More intensive cyclonic activity in the Antarctic from late January determined a rapid development of the process of landfast ice breakup. However whereas in the vicinity of Mirny Observatory and Progress station it took place in general on mean multiyear dates during the third 10-day period of January (Table 4.1), the final landfast ice decay in Leningradskaya Bay (Novolazarevskaya station) and Alasheyev Bay (seasonal Molodezhnaya Base) in the first part of February corresponded to the dates that were more than a month ahead of mean multiyear dates. One should note that second-year landfast ice at the head of Sannefjord Bay (seasonal Druzhnaya–4 Base) remained unbroken. In March, intensive autumn ice formation in the coastal zone began everywhere and a rapid reconstruction of the circumpolar ice belt. Near Progress station in Vostochnaya Bay, ice formation in a strongly freshened coastal band among residual ice was recorded exclusively early – in late January. In addition, the preserved elevated background cyclonic activity prevented the landfast ice expansion, leading to a delay in the freeze-up of the water areas in the vicinity of Mirny and Progress by one month as compared with a multiyear average. The main peculiarity of the transient period in April–May was an anomalously weak expansion of the Atlantic ice massif in the Weddell Sea. The ice edge here even in the middle of May was mainly located to the south of parallel 65 (Fig.4.2). Its rapid advance to the north in general up to 60° S occurred only in June. However in the extreme northwest of the basin, ice has reached only the area of the South Orkneys Islands. No ice export from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait usual of this time of the year occurred. This determined a long delay with the onset of stable ice formation in the area of Bellingshausen station. The Cosmonauts Sea was also distinguished by a decreased sea-ice extent with the ice edge stably located also near the 65th parallel up to the middle of June. The main cause of such anomalies is probably in the weaker advection of the ice cover, which is connected with a sharp decrease of cyclonic activity beginning from April. An indirect confirmation of this is an unusually low snow concentration on landfast ice in the vicinity of Mirny Observatory that was preserved until August (Table 4.2). During the next winter period, the autumn delay of the Antarctic ice belt expansion was fully compensated. The ice cover area by September has reached the mean multiyear sizes in general and even significantly exceeded them in places (Fig.4.3). The increased close to the maximum ice edge spreading to the north was characteristic of the area of the South Sandwich Islands (25–30°W), the longitudinal sector of 35–60°E and the area of the Balleny ice massif between 150 and 160°E. The area of the South Shetland Islands serves as a vivid regional illustration of the character of development of the ice processes during the given autumn-winter period. Intensive flow of ice to Bransfield Strait from the east from the Weddell Sea began 2 months later than usually – in the second part of July. This has sharply intensified the local ice formation, which, although with a delay up to 1.5 months, ended with landfast ice establishment in Ardley Bay (Table 4.1). But then its subsequent decay took place already on the dates close to mean multiyear. During the first month of its existence the landfast ice thickness increased to 0.5 m (Table 4.2), which corresponds to mean intensity of the growth at much more high-latitudinal Antarctic stations. In October–November, a significant southward retreat of the ice edge occurred only in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas and near the west coat of the Antarctic Peninsula, which was almost completely ice cleared. However over much of the Southern Ocean area the intensity of the processes of spring decay of the ice cover was anomalously decreased and the Weddell and Ross polynyas were very weakly developed. In this respect it is quite indicative that a stable transition of the surface sea layer temperature across -1.8°C in the areas of Mirny Observatory and Progress station marking the beginning of the active melting of landfast ice took place only in late November–early December, i.e., approximately a month later than the usual dates. 63

As a result in December, in spite of the beginning of a rapid ice belt decrease, the increased background sea-ice extent was preserved in general in the Southern Ocean. In most Antarctic Seas it was close to a maximum and in the western Commonwealth Sea between 60 and 70°E, the ice edge was located record far in the north near the 60th parallel (Fig.4.4). In conclusion it is necessary to explain that during 2006 there was a by-stage transfer to a principally new technological scheme of satellite information processing. With the aim of reconstructing the full-value coverage of ice conditions for the entire Southern Ocean, decoding of the images of meteorological NOAA series satellites received at the Russian stations is made in a centralized manner at the AARI (RAE), where they are operationally transmitted via the INMARSAT communication channels. A review ice chart is prepared for the middle of each month using all information sources from the INTERNET. Simultaneously as a mean and extreme values of the ice edge location, the updated data began to be used , which were obtained on the basis of all available historical set of predominantly national information on the Antarctic for a 25–30-year period (1971 – 2005).

Table 4.1

Dates of the onset of main ice phases in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in 2006

Station Landfast ice breakup Ice clearance Ice formation Landfast ice formation Freez up (water body) Start End First Final First Stable First Stable First Final Мirny Actual 21.11.05 28.01 13.02 NO1 11.03 11.03 01.04 01.04 08.05 08.05 (roadstead) Multyyear 23.12 05.02 12.02 NO 11.03 12.03 30.03 02.04 14.04 17.04 average Progress Actual 15.12.05 22.01 NO NO 22.01 31.01 25.03 25.03 25.04 25.04 (Vostochnaya Bay) Multyyear 30.12 13.01 NO NO 16.02 17.02 06.03 08.03 26.03 26.03 average Bellingshausen Actual 04.09 24.10 25.10 25.10 28.05 20.07 24.07 24.07 21.08 NO (Ardley Bay) Multyyear 10.09 09.10 12.10 05.11 09.05 08.06 11.06 13.06 03.07 07.07 average

Note: 1 phenomenon was absent (did not occur).

Table 4.2

Landfast ice thickness and snow depth (cm) in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations from profile measurement data in 2006

Station Characteristics M o n t h s IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Ice Actual 28 72 85 103 118 142 158 167 151 Mirny Multyyear 46 67 84 101 119 137 152 156 149 average Snow 5 10 7 8 8 15 29 40 17 Progress Ice 47 83 100 122 138 157 166 1591 Snow 0 4 0 3 0 3 3 01 Bellingshausen1 Ice 51 60 Snow 5 9

Note:1 from data of measurements at the constant point. 65

Fig. 4.1. Average location of the external northern sea ice edge (1) in the Southern Ocean in February 2006 relative to its maximum (2), average (3) and minimum (4) spreading for a multiyear period 1971 to 2005. 66

Fig. 4.2. Average location of the external northern sea ice edge (1) in the Southern Ocean in May 2006 relative to its maximum (2), average (3) and minimum (4) spreading for a multiyear period 1971 to 2005.

Fig. 4.3. Average location of the external northern sea ice edge (1) in the Southern Ocean in September 2006 relative to its maximum (2), average (3) and minimum (4) spreading for a multiyear period 1971 to 2005.

Fig. 4.4. Average location of the external northern sea ice edge (1) in the Southern Ocean in December 2006 relative to its maximum (2), average (3) and minimum (4) spreading for a multiyear period 1971 to 2005.

5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2006

In 2006, the total ozone (TO) measurements were carried out at Mirny, Vostok and Novolazarevskaya stations. The annual variations of daily TO value for these stations are presented in Fig.5.1. Unfortunately, the measurement data at Vostok station for September – December require specifying due to which the review considers only the measurements made prior to April 2006

400 400

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200

150 150 Total ozoneTotal (DU)

100 1 100 2 50 3 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 2006.

During the summer season of 2005-2006, the lowest mean monthly TO values were observed at Mirny station over the entire observation history (276 Dobson units in December 2005, 279 Dobson units in January and 265 Dobson units in February 2006). At Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations, the mean monthly TO values were also less than in 2004. In autumn (March-May), the mean monthly values at all three stations were higher than in the preceding year. In March, the mean monthly values at all stations were close (283 Dobson units – 287 Dobson units). In spring of 2006, the area of the “ozone hole” was rapidly increasing from the middle of August and by the end of September it was much larger than in 2005 (Fig.5.2, [1-3]) achieving the maximum size on 25 September. On this day according to NASA information, the ozone hole area was 29.5 million km2 and was maximum for the entire observation history (in 2000, the “hole” area according to NASA data comprised 29.4 million km2). According to data of the European Space Agency (ESA), the “hole” area on 25 September was 28.0 million km2, i.e., slightly less than in 2000, when it comprised 28.4 million km2. The ozone concentration over the Antarctic was rapidly decreasing during September achieving its minimum in early October. In 2006, a record decrease of the ozone concentration over the Antarctic was noted, the deficit of the ozone mass for 5 October being equal to 40.8 megatons (in 2000 – 39.6 megatons). During October, the “hole” area was slightly decreasing remaining still the record large for October. In early November, its area was 15 million km2. The ozone concentration increased over much of Antarctica. The polar vortex gradually decreased, but remained much greater than its average size for this time of the year. The temperature in it was much less than a multiyear average for this time of the year. For many days in November, the ozone hole area was the largest over the entire observation history for this period. From the beginning of December, the ozone hole area began to rapidly decrease and by the middle of December, the “hole” was filled [2]. The lowest TO values at the Russian stations were observed at Novolazarevskaya station on 26 September (99 Dobson units) and on 2 October (98 Dobson units). A noticeable decrease of the ozone concentration at this station was observed from the middle of August to the end of September (see Fig.5.1). In October, the TO at this station was also record low and seldom exceeded 150 Dobson units, although by the end of the month it began to increase. In the first 10 days of November, the mean daily TO values at this station varied from 146 to 168 Dobson units, then the total ozone concentration sharply increased and comprised 291 Dobson units on 16 November. By 20 November, the total ozone concentration decreased again and dropped below 200 Dobson units. From early December and throughout December, the TO at this station was higher than 220 Dobson units.

Fig.5.2. Ozone hole area over the Antarctic in 2006 [2].

At Novolazarevskaya station in October – December 2006, the lowest mean monthly total ozone values for the entire observation history at this station were noted (128 Dobson units in October, 184 Dobson units in November and 252 Dobson units in December, respectively). In September, the mean monthly value was also very low and was equal to 138 Dobson units. In August and in the first part of September, the ozone concentration at Mirny station was quite stable. Its slight decrease was observed from August to September. The TO values in late August and in the first part of September often decreased below 200 Dobson units, but they were much higher than at Novolazarevskaya station. During the last 10-day period of September, significant TO fluctuations from day-to-day were recorded with ozone concentration changing from 360 Dobson units on 24 September to 214 Dobson units on 27 September. The fluctuations continued until the middle of December. Such sharp changes in ozone concentration at this station are connected with significant changes of the ozone hole shape. The minimum TO value at Mirny station equal to 122 Dobson units was observed on 5 October. The lowest mean monthly TO value for the entire observation history at Mirny station was observed in September (188 Dobson units). The mean monthly total ozone values in August - November were lower than in the previous year (226 Dobson units in August, 231 Dobson units in September and 243 Dobson units in November). The mean monthly TO value at Mirny station in December was higher than in 2005.

References: 1.http://toms.gsfc.nasa.gav/pub/omi/images/spole 2.Antarctic Ozone Bulletin 2006, №1-7.http://www.wmo.ch/web/arep/ozone/html 3 Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”, the AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2006, No.3 (36), p.61-63.

6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2006

In 2006, the geomagnetic observations were carried out at Vostok, Novolazarevskaya stations and at Mirny Observatory. Continuous registration of the space radio-emission level was also made at these station at the 32 MHz frequency (Vostok, Mirny, Novolazarevskaya), 24 MHz (Vostok) and 40 MHz (Mirny). In Mirny Observatory, the vertical sounding of ionosphere was continued using a digital ionosonde. In February 2006, the geomagnetic observations began for the first time at Progress station. In March at the same station the regular measurements of the absolute values of the geomagnetic field components were started. Progress station is equipped with the most modern magnetic measurement equipment. Here for the first time a flux-gate magnetometer LEMI-022 was installed as a magnetic variation station. For conducting absolute observations, a flux-gate inclinometer-declinometer and a modern proton magnetometer “MINIMAG” are used. In addition, the following activities were carried out at Novolazarevskaya station: measurements of the neutron flux intensity (equipment of MGU NIIYAF) and scattered solar radiation flux (equipment and methodology of MFTI), studies of fluctuations of the intensity lines in the light-emitting diode spectrum (565 nm) at the base of the “AvaSpec-2048” spectrometer (AARI methodology), and measurements of the frequency-temporal fluctuations in the UV-region spectrum of the atmosphere zenith at the base of the fiber-optic “Avantes” spectrometer (AARI methodology). At Vostok station, where beginning from 1998 measurements of atmospheric electricity are carried out, new equipment for automatic registration in the digital form of variations of atmospheric electric field and atmospheric electrical currents was installed and put into operation. The experiment including the near-pole Vostok, Dome C and South Pole stations is carried out in the framework of the International Project with participation of Russia, Australia, France and the USA. The year 2006 is a typical representative of the period of solar activity minimum. The geophysical situation during the year was rather quiet. Significant magnetic perturbations were observed on 26 January – 7 February, 18–23 February, 17–23 March, 13–15 April, 4–8 and 10–12 May, 6–11 and 15–17 June, 7–8 and during the period 19 to 22 August, 17 to 19 September, 28–29 October, 6– 10 and 13–15 December. On these days during some time intervals the К-index at the Antarctic stations achieved the maximum values of the logarithmic scale equal to 8–9 points.

Fig. 6.1 presents annual variations of the magnetic activity index – PC-index, calculated from data of Vostok station for 2006.

Fig. 6.1. Mean hourly variations of the magnetic activity PC-index from data of Vostok station for 2006.

A comparative analysis of the geophysical indicator of planetary perturbation – PC-index shows that its extreme amplitudes in 2006 were on average 3 times as low as the same values in 2005. 73

The Sun’s outburst activity is accompanied with intrusion of high energy protons to the upper atmosphere of the Antarctic. The effects of these intrusions, the so-called phenomena of polar cap absorption (PCA) are registered by riometers at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations. For the entire reporting period, on ly two explicit PCA phenomena confirmed by data of all indicated stations should be noted. These periods are connected with strong outbursts at the Sun, noted at the end of the year. The most intense PCA event accompanied the magnetic storm on 6-10 December. Absorption of space radio-noise during this period comprised 11 dB at Novolazarevskaya station, 12 dB at Mirny station and 19 dB at Vostok station. During the storm period on 13–15 December, the absorption values by stations comprised 12, 6 and 11 decibels, respectively. The usual absorption values are tenths of dB. The maximum absorption values of space radio-noise at Novolazarevskaya station throughout the year are given in Fig. 6.2.

Novolazarevskaya, the maximal absorption in 2006

8 , dB

max 6 A 4

0 01.01.2006 01.03.2006 01.05.2006 01.07.2006 01.09.2006 01.11.2006

Fig.6.2. Riometer absorption at Novolazarevskaya station during 2006.

The state of the ionosphere is characterized by the behavior of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer. The daily variations of f0F2 during the reporting period correspond to a multiyear average. The daily variations that are typical of the illuminated ionosphere are clearly expressed. The values of f0F2 in the daytime hours are much greater than in the nighttime. During the period of December magnetic storms accompanied with the PCA phenomena, a complete absence of the reflected signal in the ionosphere was observed in Mirny Observatory from 6 to 15 December based on the ionosonde data. The original studies at Novolazarevskaya station in conducting spectral observations of the atmosphere zenith by means of Avantes-2048 spectrometer, the energy instability in the UV range at the frequencies of 332 nm, 333.7 nm, 342.5 nm, 351.5 nm and 395.2 nm was detected. The observed energy instability at the indicated frequencies unlike the other spectrum lines is expressed in short-term impulse wavelength changes (energy jumps) within 0.01 to 0.04 eV/photon, i.e., to 4 – 5 nm, which exceeds standard frequency fluctuations by an order and higher. It was determined that temporal fluctuations of impulse energy jumps in all five lines are connected with solar activity variations (Wolf number). The gravity field variations, caused by a joint Sun’s and Moon’s influence at the Earth’s motion along the orbit, and the impulse space physical radiation are probably a source of many rhythmical processes typical of the living and non-living nature. The results of the studies carried out at Novolazarevskaya station in the Antarctic and in St. Petersburg, showed that the space physical factors of non-electromagnetic nature produce a significant influence on the course of the processes of a different property (Diploma of scientific discovery No. 226 of 07.08.2003).

MIRNY OBSERVATORY

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

October November December Declination 87º27.8´W 87º25.7´W 87º22.6´W Horizontal component 13883 nT 13886 nT 13924 nT Vertical component -57488 nT -57506 nT -57623 nT

Mirny, October 2006

3 dB

max, 2 A

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

Mirny, November 2006

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, December 2006

, dB 6 max A 3

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.3. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations in Mirny Observatory.

Mirny, October 2006

9.6

7.2 00UT 4.8 12UT f0F2, MHz f0F2,

2.4

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, November 2006

9.6

7.2 00UT 12UT 4.8 f0F2, MHz f0F2,

2.4

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, December 2006

9.6

7.2 00UT 12UT 4.8 f0F2, MHz f0F2,

2.4

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.4. Daily variations of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer in Mirny Observatory.

PROGRESS STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

October November December Declination 73º46.3´W 73º43.8´W 73º42.7´W Horizontal component 16782 нТ 16780 нТ 16808 нТ Vertical component -50531 нТ -50509 нТ -50506 нТ

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

October November December Declination 27º04.9´W 27º03.6´W 27º03.5´W Horizontal component 18588 нТ 18585 нТ 18578 нТ Vertical component -34886 нТ -34883 нТ -34882 нТ

Novolazarevskaya, October 2006

6 dB

max, max, 4 A

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

Novolazarevskaya, November 2006

6 , dB

max 4 A

0 135791113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, December 2006

, dB 6 max A 3

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

Fig. 6.5. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Novolazarevskaya station.

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

October November December Declination -121º36.4´W -121º30.4´W -121º25.3´W Horizontal component 13580 нТ 13574 нТ 13577 нТ Vertical component -57989 нТ -57955 нТ -57973 нТ

Vostok, October 2006

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, November 2006

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, December 2006

12 , dB

max 8 A

0 135791113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.6. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Vostok station.

78 7. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER 2006

19.10 Start of seasonal work of the 52nd RAE. The first expedition group departed for Bellingshausen station via Punta-Arenas.

21.10 ВТ-67 Basler airplane charted by RAE arrived to Punta Arenas from Canada. It delivered RAE specialists and the expedition cargos to the airfield of the Chilean Frey Base during the period 22.10 to 29.10.

30.10 IL-76 TD airplane departed Moscow for participation in the seasonal activities of the 52nd RAE and operations of the international Antarctic aviation network DROMLAN.

2.11 – 3.11 First voyage of IL-76 airplane from Cape Town to the airfield of the Russian Novolazarevskaya station in the framework of the DROMLAN Program was made.

3.11 The research expedition vessel (R/V) “Akademik Fedorov” departed St. Petersburg for the Antarctic for operating under the program of the 52nd RAE with 129 expedition participants onboard.

4.11 The research vessel (R/V) “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” departed St. Petersburg for the Antarctic voyage under the program of the 52nd RAE

10.11 ВТ-67 airplane at the time of landing at the seasonal Norwegian Base Tor has broken the front support, damaged the propeller and the engine. The crew and German expedition specialists who were onboard did not suffer. For transportation of the crew and the passengers from Punta Arenas, the TWIN-OTTER airplane of the private company Ken Borek was sent for, which delivered all people to the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station.

9.11-11.11 The second flight of IL-76 from Cape Town to Novolazarevskaya station and back was made during which the participants in the flight accident with ВТ-67 airplane were delivered to Cape Town.

26.11 The sledge-caterpillar traverse departed Mirny Observatory to Vostok station for providing support for life activity at the inland station.

27.11 The USA official inspection group visited the Russian Bellingshausen station.

30.11-3.12 The next flight of IL-76 was made along the route Cape Town -Novolazarevskaya- Cape Town. On 2.12-3.12, two flights were made from Novolazarevskaya to Vostok station with the purpose of airdropping the platforms with cargo. In total, 60 t of cargo were delivered to Vostok station, including 330 drums with fuel.

6.12-8.12 The next flight of IL-76 was made from Cape Town to Novolazarevskaya station under the DROMLAN Program. The plane delivered seasonal team specialists to Novolazarevskaya station, who were going to Vostok station. The same flight delivered air-specialists to Antarctica for repair of the damaged airplane ВТ-67.

7.12 ВТ-67 airplane arrived to Novolazarevskaya station from Canada to replace the damaged plane. The damaged ВТ-67 was repaired at the air field of Novolazarevskaya station after which it made an independent flight to Canada.

12.12-14.12 Seasonal specialists arrived by ВТ-67 airplane from Novolazarevskaya station via the Japanese Syowa station and the Russian Progress station to Vostok station to continue the deep drilling program.

13.12-14.12 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out planned work in the area of the seasonal field Molodezhnaya Base, where 8 specialists of RAE and 2 specialists from Byelorussia were delivered to.

19.12-21.12 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out planned work in the area of the Russian Progress station in the process of which the seasonal field Drizhnaya-4 and Soyuz Bases were re-activated, 79 construction work at Progress station was resumed and operations for personnel rotation, delivery of equipment and food products to Vostok station were started.

24.12-1.01 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out planned work in the area of Mirny Observatory in the course of which 1000 t of fuel, heavy transport vehicles and other support for the station were delivered 26.12 At Vostok station, re-activation of the drilling complex was finished, the program of deep drilling of the ice sheet was resumed and the first ice core from a depth of 3650.43 m was obtained.

30.12 The sledge-caterpillar traverse from Mirny station arrived to Vostok station delivering 205 m3 of fuel and cargos for life and operation support of the station. On the same day on 30.12, in the framework of the geological-geophysical continental work, the seasonal field camp was opened in the mountainous Fisher massif (Prince Charles Mountains, Lambert glacier).

Upon the end of the program of flights to Vostok station, the ВТ-67 airplane flew via Progress station and Molodezhnaya Base to the air field of Novolazarevskaya station for continuing work in the framework of the International DROMLAN Program.