Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (65) October - December 2013 STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2014

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (65) October – December 2013

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg 2014

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

Authors and contributors Section 1 M.O. Krichak (RAE), Section 2 Ye.I. Aleksandrov (Department of Sea-Air Interaction) Section 3 G.Ye. Ryabkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting) Section 4 A.I. Korotkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting) Section 5 Ye.Ye. Sibir (Department of Sea-Air Interaction) Section 6 I.V. Moskvin, Yu.G. Turbin (Department of Geophysics) Section 7 V.L. Martyanov (RAE)

Translated by I.I. Solovieva http://www.aari.aq/, Antarctica/ 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; 337 31 04 Fax: (812) 337 31 86 E-mail: [email protected]

CONTENTS

PREFACE 1

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS 3 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2013 42 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2013 52 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE, SHIPBORNE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2013 55 5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2013 61 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2013 63 7. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2013 73

PREFACE The activity of the Russian Antarctic Expedition in the fourth quarter of 2013 was carried out at five permanent Antarctic stations – Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Progress and Vostok and at the field bases Molodezhnaya, Leningradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4. The work was carried out by the teams of the 58th and 59th RAE over a full complex of the Antarctic environmental monitoring programs. At the field bases Molodezhnaya, Lenigradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4, the automatic weather stations AWS, model MAWS-110, and the automatic geodetic complexes FAGS were in operation. Section I of the Bulletin contains monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations carried out at constantly operating stations during October-December 2013 and data of upper- air sounding carried out at two stations - Mirny and Novolazarevskaya once a day at 00.00 of Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). In accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar, more frequent sounding during the periods of the International Geophysical Interval was conducted in 2013 at 00 h and 12 h UTC during 11 – 24 February, 06-19 May, 12-25 August and 04-27 November. In the meteorological tables, the atmospheric pressure for the coastal stations is referenced to sea level. The atmospheric pressure at Vostok station is not referenced to sea level and is presented at the level of the meteorological site. Along with the monthly averages of meteorological parameters, the tables in Section 1 present their deviations from multiyear averages (anomalies) and deviations in f fractions (normalized anomalies (f- favg)/f). For the monthly totals of precipitation and total radiation, relative anomalies (f/favg) are also presented. 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. For Progress station, the anomalies are not calculated due to a short observation series. The Bulletin contains brief overviews with an assessment of the state of the Antarctic environment based on the actual data for the quarter under consideration. Sections 2 and 3 are devoted to the meteorological and synoptic conditions. The review of synoptic conditions (section 3) is prepared on the basis of the analysis of current aero-synoptic information, which is performed by RAE forecaster at Progress station and also on the basis of more complete data of the Southern Hemisphere, which are available in the Internet. The analysis of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean (section 4) is based on satellite data received at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Progress stations and on the observations conducted at the coastal Bellingshausen, Mirny and Progress 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 average and extreme values of the ice edge location, the updated data are used which are received at the AARI for each month based on the results of processing the entire available historical archive of predominantly national information on the Antarctic for the period 1971 to 2005. Section 5 presents a review of the total ozone (TO) on the basis of measurements at the Russian Antarctic stations. The measurements are interrupted in the wintertime at the Sun’s height of less than 5o. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6 present the results of geomagnetic measurements and measurements of space radio-emission at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Vostok and Progress stations. Section 7 is devoted to the main events of RAE logistical activity during the quarter under consideration.

RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS AND FIELD BASES

MIRNY STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89592 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 39.9 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6633 S;  = 9301 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -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  = 7046 S;  = 1150 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -62.6;  = 51.0 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  = 6212 S;  = 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  = 6923 S;  = 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  = 7828 S;  = 10648 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -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

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89542 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 40 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6740 S;  = 4608 E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 29 – January 13 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT June 11 – July 2

FIELD BASE LENINGRADSKAYA STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89657 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 291 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6930,1 S;  = 15923,2 E

FIELD BASE RUSSKAYA

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89132 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 140 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7646 S;  = 13647,9 E

FIELD BASE DRUZHNAYA-4 HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6944 S;  = 7342 E

FIELD BASE SOYUZ HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7034 S;  = 6847 E

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

OCTOBER 2013

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

averages (favg) Mirny, October 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 987.1 1005.3 967.1 5.3 1.3 Air temperature, C -12.9 -3.6 -21.6 0.5 0.2 Relative humidity, % 67 -2.0 -0.4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.5 -2.3 -2.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.7 -0.8 -0.6 Precipitation, mm 36.4 -7.1 -0.2 0.8 Wind speed, m/s 10.6 24.0 0.0 0.0 Maximum wind gust, m/s 32.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 517.6 7.6 0.2 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 360 455 260

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, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. October 2013.

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, October 2013 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

985 39 -7.3 4.4 925 525 -8.2 8.3 94 12 88 0 0 850 1176 -11.7 8.6 90 10 83 0 0 700 2647 -15.8 10.0 84 4 35 0 0 500 5113 -29.7 8.9 335 2 10 0 0 400 6667 -40.0 8.6 293 3 18 0 0 300 8573 -52.4 8.6 285 6 30 0 0 200 11145 -57.5 9.7 267 10 65 0 0 150 12961 -57.2 10.7 264 12 75 0 0 100 15524 -56.6 11.7 259 13 82 0 0 70 17794 -53.5 12.6 259 13 79 0 0 50 19975 -48.8 13.9 261 11 68 0 0 30 23350 -41.5 16.3 266 7 45 1 1 20 26119 -36.9 18.4 305 3 17 2 2 10 31012 -32.5 21.4 141 5 45 19 ≥9

Table 1.3 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature Mirny, October 2013

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 82 2.7 5.5 3.7 700 110 3.2 6.6 5.6 500 169 3.9 6.8 4.6 400 211 4.1 6.6 4.2 300 261 4.4 5.8 3.7 200 329 4.8 7.0 3.2 150 384 4.7 6.6 2.1 100 446 3.9 4.1 0.8 70 478 2.9 2.8 0.5 50 495 2.3 3.0 0.4 30 506 1.6 3.3 0.5 20 470 1.2 2.0 0.3 10 547 1.3 -1.8 -0.4

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

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

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, October 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 986.5 1001.3 960.6 2.4 0.6 Air temperature, C -12.2 0.5 -23.9 0.4 0.3 Relative humidity, % 38 -13.6 -1.9 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.3 -1.3 -1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.2 0.6 0.9 Precipitation, mm 2.7 -26.3 -0.8 0.1 Wind speed, m/s 9.3 21.0 -0.7 -0.5 Maximum wind gust, m/s 27.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 484.1 27.1 0.8 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 206 264 157

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.2. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, October 2013.

Table 1.5 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, October2013 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

971 122 -13.3 11.4 925 491 -13.4 11.0 115 13 95 1 1 850 1126 -18.3 9.4 99 11 95 1 1 700 2547 -26.0 6.0 109 8 79 1 1 500 4922 -38.2 6.4 186 5 47 1 1 400 6422 -48.1 6.9 208 6 52 1 1 300 8264 -59.4 6.8 224 10 67 1 1 200 10737 -67.9 6.6 245 10 69 1 1 150 12453 -70.2 6.7 251 10 75 1 1 100 14843 -72.9 6.7 260 13 80 1 1 70 16928 -72.5 6.9 265 16 86 1 1 50 18918 -69.2 7.0 272 20 87 2 2 30 22035 -58.5 8.2 284 25 83 2 2 20 24646 -47.4 10.6 287 30 81 3 3

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, October 2013

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 12 0.3 0.2 0.1 700 7 0.2 -0.4 -0.2 500 1 0.0 0.5 0.3 400 1 0.0 0.5 0.3 300 1 0.0 0.9 0.8 200 10 0.1 1.3 0.7 150 7 0.1 0.4 0.2 100 -5 -0.1 -2.3 -0.7 70 -46 -0.4 -3.5 -0.9 50 -92 -0.6 -2.9 -0.6 30 -141 -0.6 0.7 0.1 20 -135 -0.5 3.7 0.5

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

averages (favg)

Bellingshausen, October 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 984.9 1016.4 957.5 -4.9 -1.0 Air temperature, C -2.7 1.3 -9.2 -0.1 -0.1 Relative humidity, % 86 -2.2 -0.7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.5 0.5 1.3 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 9.3 1.3 2.2 Precipitation, mm 88.4 38.8 2.4 1.8 Wind speed, m/s 7.6 17.0 -0.4 -0.4 Maximum wind gust, m/s 22.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 45 Total radiation, MJ/m2 317.6 -86.4 -2.3 0.8

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, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). . Bellingshausen station. October 2013.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, October2013 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 988.8 1002.3 968.8 Air temperature, 0C -9.7 -0.6 -23.0 Relative humidity, % 63 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7.5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.5 Precipitation, mm 17.9 Wind speed, m/s 4.8 14.0 Maximum wind gust, m/s 24.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 458.5

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.4. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. October 2013.

VOSTOK STATION

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

Vostok, October2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 624.3 636.5 615.9 4.9 1.1 Air temperature, C -55.7 -42.1 -68.9 1.3 0.8 Relative humidity, % 56 -14.5 -3.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 2.9 -1.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 3.5 1.6 0.8 1.8 Wind speed, m/s 4.6 12.0 -0.9 -0.8 Maximum wind gust, m/s 15.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 305 Total radiation, MJ/m2 494.6 35.6 1.6 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 246 371 169

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.5. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line, precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. October 2013.

O c t o b e r 2013

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 987.1 986.5 984.9 988.8 1000 750 624.3 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 1.3 0.6 -1.0 1.1

Air temperature, °C

-12.9 -12.2 -2.7 -9.7 -10 -30 -55.7 -50 -70 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.8

Relative humidity, % 86 67 63 100 38 56 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.4 -1.9 -0.7 -3.3

Total cloudiness, tenths 9.5 10 7.5 4.5 4.3 2.9 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -2.3 -1.3 1.3 -1.4

Precipitation, mm 88.4 100 80 36.4 17.9 4060 2.7 3.5 200 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.8 0.1 1.8 1.8

Mean wind speed, m/s

15 10.6 9.3 7.6 10 4.8 4.6 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.8

Fig.1.6. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. October 2013.

NOVEMBER 2013

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

averages (favg) Mirny, November 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.8 1007.0 973.0 3.5 0.9 Air temperature, 0C -6.3 2.0 -18.5 1.0 0.7 Relative humidity, % 69 1.2 0.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.2 -0.2 -0.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.6 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 29.1 -4.3 -0.2 0.9 Wind speed, m/s 9.3 21.0 -0.5 -0.4 Maximum wind gust, m/s 28.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 737.7 -35.3 -0.7 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 313 371 223

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.13. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. November 2013.

Table 1.11 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, November 2013 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

Table 1.12 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Mirny, November 2013 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 28 0.9 0.8 0.8 700 34 0.9 3.2 2.5 500 60 1.3 3.0 2.1 400 77 1.4 2.9 2.0 300 92 1.4 1.8 1.3 200 85 1.0 -2.0 -0.6 150 58 0.6 -4.3 -1.1 100 -26 -0.2 -8.9 -2.0 70 -137 -0.7 -10.4 -2.9 50 -239 -1.2 -9.2 -3.3 30 -392 -1.8 -6.3 -2.2 20 -462 -2.1 -4.4 -1.4 10 -485 -2.1 -3.7 -1.0

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, November 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 982.5 995.7 955.9 -3.3 -0.9 Air temperature, 0C -4.9 3.5 -13.7 1.0 0.8 Relative humidity, % 66 12.7 2.8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8.3 2.0 1.8 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.9 2.9 3.6 Precipitation, mm 59.2 51.2 4.7 7.4 Wind speed, m/s 12.3 31.0 2.9 1.5 Maximum wind gust, m/s 41.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 546.0 -183.1 -3.8 0.7 Total ozone content (TO), DU 342 396 226

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.14. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, November 2013.

Table 1.14 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, November 2013 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

968 122 -5.7 5.7 925 475 -7.1 4.4 105 15 98 1 1 850 1127 -11.9 3.2 90 16 97 1 1 700 2582 -21.0 1.7 80 13 95 1 1 500 4995 -34.9 3.5 46 10 75 1 1 400 6519 -44.6 4.6 34 10 66 1 1 300 8398 -53.5 4.9 20 10 63 1 1 200 10991 -53.4 6.6 338 9 62 1 1 150 12844 -52.3 8.3 317 10 64 1 1 100 15481 -49.0 10.4 294 13 64 1 1 70 17837 -44.8 13.1 281 14 65 1 1 50 20098 -41.2 15.5 270 13 65 2 2 30 23595 -37.6 17.8 261 9 52 2 2 20 26480 -36.1 19.5 257 6 33 5 5

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, November 2013

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -24 -0.8 1.1 0.9 700 -25 -0.8 0.7 0.6 500 -28 -0.7 0.0 0.0 400 -29 -0.6 0.4 0.3 300 -20 -0.4 3.3 3.0 200 48 0.8 8.2 2.6 150 113 1.3 7.7 1.9 100 194 1.5 6.8 1.3 70 253 1.3 6.3 1.1 50 304 1.3 5.4 1.1 30 348 1.2 1.8 0.5 20 452 1.4 -2.0 -0.5

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, November 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 980.8 1000.8 957.4 -6.8 -1.3 Air temperature, 0C -2.1 2.3 -9.4 -0.9 -1.1 Relative humidity, % 85 -2.6 -0.7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8.7 -0.5 -1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 30.3 -18.1 -0.9 0.6 Wind speed, m/s 7.4 19.0 0.4 0.4 Maximum wind gust, m/s 25.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 270 Total radiation, MJ/m2 565.0 26.0 0.8 1.0

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.15. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. November 2013.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, November 2013 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 990.5 1006.8 977.7 Air temperature, 0C -4.4 5.9 -20.2 Relative humidity, % 63 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.6 Precipitation, mm 15.6 Wind speed, m/s 5.3 16.0 Maximum wind gust, m/s 27.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 735.2

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.16. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F).

Progress station. November 2013.

VOSTOK STATION

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

averages (favg) Vostok, November 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 628.7 639.5 609.4 3.0 0.6 Air temperature, C -39.8 -24.9 -63.9 3.3 2.2 Relative humidity, % 58 -13.9 -3.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3.0 -0.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 5.1 4.2 6.0 5.7 Wind speed, m/s 6.3 12.0 1.1 1.2 Maximum wind gust, m/s 15.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 292 Total radiation, MJ/m2 947.7 13.7 0.4 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 301 361 235

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.17. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. November 2013. 28

N o v e m b e r 2013

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa(pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 989.8 982.5 980.8 990.5 1000 750 628.7 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0.9 -0.9 -1.3 0.6

Air temperature, °C -6.3 -4.9 -2.1 -4.4 0 -20 -39.8 -40 -60 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0.7 0.8 -1.1 2.2

Relative humidity, % 85 100 69 66 63 58 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0.3 2.8 -0.7 -3.3

Total cloudiness, tenths

8.3 8.7 10 6.2 6.2 3.0 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0.3 1.8 -1.3 -0.4

Precipitation, mm 59.2 60 29.1 30.3 30 15.6 5.1 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.9 7.4 0.6 5.7

Mean wind speed, m/s

20 12.3 9.3 7.4 6.3 10 5.3 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0.4 1.5 0.4 1.2

Fig. 1.18. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. November 2013.

DECEMBER 2013

MIRNY STATION

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

averages (favg) Mirny, December 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.0 1005.1 974.4 -0.7 -0.2 Air temperature, 0C -2.9 4.1 -10.8 -0.4 -0.4 Relative humidity, % 75 4.3 1.0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.0 -0.9 -0.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.6 -0.4 -0.4 Precipitation, mm 4.7 -20.5 -0.9 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 4.6 14.0 -3.9 -3.0 Maximum wind gust, m/s 18.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 957.4 14.4 0.2 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 345 367 330

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.19. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. December 2013.

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

Mirny, December 2013 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

985 39 -5.0 3.5 925 530 -5.4 5.6 97 5 87 0 0 850 1187 -9.0 5.9 90 5 88 0 0 700 2660 -17.8 6.0 86 3 51 0 0 500 5108 -31.3 7.7 283 2 32 0 0 400 6654 -41.1 8.2 270 4 41 0 0 300 8560 -50.2 8.4 261 6 52 0 0 200 11238 -45.0 12.7 262 4 51 0 0 150 13157 -44.8 14.4 271 3 43 0 0 100 15872 -43.7 15.4 271 1 24 0 0 70 18266 -42.7 16.1 87 2 47 0 0 50 20539 -41.8 16.5 83 4 89 0 0 30 24003 -40.5 17.2 86 8 98 0 0 20 26773 -39.0 17.8 87 10 98 1 1 10 31553 -34.4 19.3 89 15 99 15 ≥9

Table 1.21 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, December 2013

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -7 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 700 -17 -0.5 -1.4 -1.3 500 -36 -0.8 -1.3 -1.0 400 -48 -0.9 -1.1 -0.9 300 -55 -0.9 1.2 0.9 200 -20 -0.3 2.6 1.2 150 -11 -0.2 0.4 0.2 100 -18 -0.2 -1.1 -0.6 70 -53 -0.5 -2.0 -1.4 50 -66 -0.7 -2.6 -2.0 30 -123 -1.2 -4.1 -2.5 20 -178 -1.8 -5.4 -2.4 10 -304 -2.5 -6.3 -2.6

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

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

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, December 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 985.0 993.6 973.4 -5.3 -1.1 Air temperature, 0C -0.8 4.7 -9.4 0.1 0.1 Relative humidity, % 52 -5.8 -1.4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7.1 0.8 1.1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.2 -0.3 -0.4 Precipitation, mm 0.0 -7.6 -0.6 0.0 Wind speed, m/s 8.8 23.0 1.4 0.8 Maximum wind gust, m/s 28.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 867.5 -40.5 -0.6 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 324 354 304

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.20. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, December 2013.

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

Novolazarevskaya, December 2013 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

970 122 -2.2 7.6 925 494 -4.3 6.9 102 12 97 0 0 850 1152 -9.1 5.5 96 14 97 0 0 700 2622 -18.8 3.8 88 14 96 0 0 500 5060 -31.7 5.1 76 5 54 0 0 400 6603 -41.5 6.0 90 3 22 0 0 300 8504 -52.1 6.9 135 3 18 0 0 200 11140 -47.4 10.4 46 2 20 0 0 150 13045 -45.7 13.6 43 3 36 0 0 100 15756 -43.5 16.4 33 4 54 0 0 70 18163 -41.0 18.6 55 5 73 1 1 50 20457 -38.9 19.8 66 6 87 1 1 30 23968 -36.9 20.8 77 8 97 1 1 20 26770 -35.9 21.3 84 9 96 2 3

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, December 2013

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -53 -1.2 -0.3 -0.3 700 -59 -1.2 -0.5 -0.4 500 -71 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 400 -75 -1.2 0.1 0.1 300 -76 -1.1 0.5 0.4 200 -61 -0.8 2.2 0.7 150 -51 -0.6 1.0 0.3 100 -41 -0.4 -0.6 -0.2 70 -47 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2 50 -66 -0.5 -0.8 -0.5 30 -101 -0.8 -1.6 -0.8 20 -122 -0.8 -3.2 -1.4

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Bellingshausen, December 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 987.2 1001.6 969.7 -4.2 -0.8 Air temperature, 0C -1.4 3.5 -9.9 -1.8 -3.6 Relative humidity, % 86 -1.5 -0.4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8.9 -0.2 -0.5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8.2 0.3 0.4 Precipitation, mm 30.3 -18.8 -1.2 0.6 Wind speed, m/s 5.3 19.0 -1.3 -1.6 Maximum wind gust, m/s 23.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 270 Total radiation, MJ/m2 661.6 81.6 2.1 1.1

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.21. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. December 2013.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, December 2013 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.5 1006.6 970.1 Air temperature, 0C -0.7 6.6 -6.3 Relative humidity, % 67 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.4 Precipitation, mm 8.2 Wind speed, m/s 3.9 14.0 Maximum wind gust, m/s 26.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 920.9

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.22. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. December 2013.

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

averages (favg) Vostok, December 2013 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Ground level air pressure, hPa 631.4 642.3 621.2 -2.4 -0.6 Air temperature, C -30.6 -23.3 -39.4 1.3 0.8 Relative humidity, % 55 -17.4 -3.9 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 2.8 -0.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 -0.2 -1.0 Precipitation, mm 2.6 2.0 2.0 4.3 Wind speed, m/s 1.4 9.0 -3.1 -3.4 Maximum wind gust, m/s 13.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 270 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1252.1 20.1 0.5 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 344 373 287

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.23. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. December 2013.

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 989.0 985.0 987.2 989.5 1000 750 631.4 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0.2 -1.1 -0.8 -0.6

Air temperature, °C -2.9 -0.8 -1.4 -0.7 0 -30.6 -20 -40 -60 -80 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0.4 0.1 -3.6 0.8

Relative humidity, %

75 86 100 52 67 55 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 1.0 -1.4 -0.4 -3.9

Total cloudiness, tenths 8.9 10 6.0 7.1 6.2 2.8 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0.9 1.1 -0.5 -0.4

Precipitation, mm

60 30.3 40 8.2 20 4.7 0.0 2.6 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.2 0.0 0.6 4.3

Mean wind speed, m/s 8.8 10 4.6 5.3 3.9 5 1.4 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -3.0 0.8 -1.6 -3.4

Fig.1.24. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. December 2013.

42 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2013

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the air temperature conditions in October-December 2013 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages, anomalies and normalized anomalies of surface air temperature 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 of surface temperature for the period 1961-1990 were adopted from /4/. In October like September, the area of the above zero air temperature anomalies was located over much of the territory of Antarctica. However the values themselves of the anomalies were smaller and the core of the center has moved to the western part of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica. Here at Mawson and Davis stations, the air temperature anomalies comprised 2.7°С (1.7 ) and 2.8°С (1.3 ), respectively. For Mawson station, October 2013 has become the fourth and for Davis station the seventh warmest October for the period of operation of the stations (Fig.2.1). In the area of the Weddell Sea and of the Antarctic Peninsula there was an area of the below zero air temperature anomalies. In November, the core of the area of the above zero air temperature anomalies moved to the inland part of Antarctica. The largest anomalies were observed at Vostok (3.3°С, 2.2 ) and Amundsen-Scott (3.0°С, 1.3 ) stations and at the Atlantic coast in the vicinity of Syowa station (2.5°С, 2.7 ). For Vostok station, November 2013 has become the third and for Syowa station the first warmest November for the period of operation of the stations. In November, the below zero air temperature anomalies were recorded in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica and in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. The largest anomaly was observed at Rothera station and comprised -1.8°С (-1.2 ). In December, the area of the above zero air temperature anomalies decreased. Its core moved to the area of the Victoria Land and the Ross Sea. Here at Dumont D’Urville and McMurdo stations, the above zero anomalies were 1.8°С (2.0 ) and 1.9°С (1.5 ), respectively. December 2013 at these stations was the second and the fifth warmest month from 1957. In the coastal regions of the central part of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica, an area of small (less than 1 ) below zero air temperature anomalies was formed. Another cold area was still preserved in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. Its core was in the vicinity of Bellingshausen (-1.8°С, -3.6 ) and Rothera (- 1.9°С, -3.6 ) stations. At these stations, December 2013 was the coldest for the entire observation period.

Table 2.1

Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature

Station Parameter I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Year Entire observation period Novolazarevskaya °С/10 years 0.12 0.05 0.06 0.12 -0.16 0.21 0.33 0.38 0.31 0.12 0.12 -0.00 0.15 1961-2013 % 20.0 7.9 9.2 10.5 11.4 13.9 17.7 25.2 24.8 11.0 15.2 00.5 36.2 Р ------90 90 - - - 95 Mirny °С/10 years -0.06 -0.04 -0.01 0.02 -0.05 0.21 0.19 0.14 0.54 0.05 0.05 -0.01 0.09 1957-2013 % 8.9 5.4 1.6 2.0 3.1 16.4 10.6 8.6 34.5 05.0 07.1 -00.9 18.0 Р ------95 - - - - Vostok °С/10 years 0.19 -0.04 0.04 0.10 -0.02 0.01 0.31 0.36 0.10 0.04 0.41 0.30 0.16 1958-2013 % 21.7 3.6 3.2 6.5 1.4 0.3 13.8 15.2 4.9 03.9 43.5 32.3 27.4 Р ------95 95 90 Bellingshausen °С/10 years 0.12 0.10 0.17 0.07 0.55 0.31 0.13 0.46 0.03 0.03 -0.01 -0.07 0.17 1968-2013 % 24.6 19.2 26.7 6.3 37.0 19.6 5.8 26.8 2.1 04.2 00.9 14.7 27.7 Р - - 90 - 95 - 90 - - - - 90 2004–2013 Novolazarevskaya оС/10 years -0.19 -1.30 -2.24 0.53 -1.27 0.26 2.96 0.33 3.75 -0.00 2.65 -0.74 0.38 % 05.9 41.6 73.9 9.1 23.2 3.0 27.2 3.9 71.5 0.0 49.4 18.0 18.6 Р - - 95 - - - - - 95 - - - - Mirny оС/10 years -0.17 -2.18 -2.10 -1.82 -1.41 -0.28 0.06 -2.36 3.97 -0.01 -0.61 -1.75 -0.70 % 5.7 46.6 50.2 26.6 13.9 7.7 0.5 32.9 50.0 0.3 20.0 46.8 29.8 Р ------Vostok оС/10 years 0.65 -0.78 -3.22 -1.22 -2.59 -2.60 1.21 -1.54 0.42 0.87 2.33 -0.02 -0.68 % 18.2 10.2 51.1 15.7 28.1 20.8 10.4 12.5 4.5 19.8 52.8 0.1 16.8 Р ------Bellingshausen оС/10 years -0.91 -1.24 -0.12 -0.80 -0.81 -0.66 -1.82 -2.23 -2.35 -0.33 -1.02 -1.68 -1.16 % 39.9 52.2 3.9 15.4 23.8 9.8 19.8 36.9 48.0 9.4 34.1 58.0 45.8 Р ------90 - 43

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

The statistically significant linear trends of mean monthly air temperature for the months under consideration at the Russian stations are observed only at Vostok station (Figs.2.2-2.4). The air temperature increase at Vostok station for November and December was about 2.3°С and 1.7°С, respectively for 56 years (Table 2.1). In the last decade, one observes an appearance of the air temperature decrease for October-November at Mirny and Bellingshausen stations and for December – at all Russian stations, but the statistically significant linear trend (-1.68 °С/10 years) is noted only at Bellingshausen station for December. The atmospheric pressure at the Russian stations in these months was characterized by the insignificant deviations from a multiyear average, close to 1. The lowest air pressure was observed in November at Bellingshausen station, 980.8 hPa (-6.8 hPa, -1.3), the fourth in a series of increasing values. The highest atmospheric pressure was recorded at Mirny station in October, equal to 987.1 hPa (5.3 hPa, 1.3), the fifth in a series of decreasing values. The statistically significant linear trends of long-period changes of mean monthly atmospheric pressure for October are manifested at Bellingshausen station and for December at Bellingshausen, Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations (Figs.2.2-2.4). The air pressure decrease for December at Bellingshausen, Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations was -6.3 hPa for 46 years, -4.3 hPa for 57 years and -5.7 hPa for 53 years, respectively. In October at Bellingshausen and Vostok stations the amount of precipitation was about 1.8 multiyear averages. Of interest are the monthly totals of precipitation significantly exceeding the multiyear monthly average recorded in November at Novolazarevskaya station and in November-December at Vostok station. The analysis of these cases showed that precipitation in these cases was blown into the precipitation gauge.

Peculiarities of meteorological conditions in general for 2013

For characterizing the meteorological conditions in the territory of Antarctica in 2013 in general we shall consider the average for the seasons and for the year air temperature anomalies at some stations. The calendar seasons were considered with the summer season beginning from December of the previous year. Figure 2.5 presents the values of anomalies and normalized anomalies of mean seasonal air temperature. In summer, the area of the above zero air temperature anomalies was noted in the vicinity of the Queen Maud Land (East Antarctica). The mean seasonal air temperature anomalies are also presented in Table 2.2. The largest above zero anomaly was recorded in the area of Syowa station (1.0°С, 2.0 ). At this station, the summer season 2012/13 became the sixth in the series of the decreasing values from 1957. In the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea there was an area of large below zero air temperature anomalies. At Bellingshausen station, the anomaly comprised -1.1°С (-2.8 ). The summer season 2012/13 at the station was the coldest from 1968. Table 2.2 Mean seasonal air temperature anomalies at the Antarctic stations, °С

Station Summer Autumn Winter Spring Summer Autumn Winter Spring Anomalies Normalized anomalies Amundsen-Scott 0.3 -0.4 4.3 3.7 0.3 -0.3 2.5 2.3 Novolazarevskaya 0.6 -1.5 1.2 2.1 0.9 -1.3 0.8 2.1 Syowa 1.0 -1.7 0.9 2.2 2.0 -1.3 0.6 2.2 Mawson -0.2 -1.8 1.1 2.9 -0.3 -1.5 0.6 2.6 Davis 0.4 -2.7 0.5 3.0 0.6 -1.9 0.3 2.0 Mirny 0.4 -1.4 0.2 2.6 0.7 -1.0 0.1 2.0 Casey -0.6 -1.4 -1.6 1.6 -1.0 -0.8 -0.8 1.1 Dumont D’Urville 0.2 -2.2 -2.0 1.2 0.3 -2.2 -1.3 1.3 McMurdo 1.1 0.2 2.3 3.5 1.1 0.1 1.3 2.3 Rothera 0.5 2.0 1.1 -0.8 0.7 1.1 0.3 -0.4 Bellingshausen -1.1 1.1 0.2 -0.6 -2.8 1.1 0.1 -0.7 Orcadas -1.1 0.8 2.2 -0.3 -1.8 0.7 0.9 -0.3 Halley-Bay -0.4 -2.2 3.3 0.9 -0.5 -1.2 1.5 0.5 Vostok -0.3 -1.3 3.1 3.7 -0.3 -0.9 1.5 2.8 Note: bold print denotes the air temperature anomalies, equal to and exceeding 1.5 .

In the autumn season, the below zero air temperature anomalies were detected over much of Antarctica. The largest below zero anomalies were observed in the coastal areas of East Antarctica. At Davis station, the 44 anomaly of mean seasonal air temperature was -2.7°С (-1.9 ) and at Dumont D’Urville station, it was -2.2°С (-2.2 ). The autumn season at these stations was the third coldest season from 1957. In the area of the Ross Sea and in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula there were small above zero air temperature anomalies. The largest of them was recorded at Rothera station (2.0 °С (1.1)). In the winter season, the area of the above zero air temperature anomalies was observed over much of Antarctica. The core of the area of the above zero anomalies was in the inland regions. Here in the vicinity of Amundsen-Scott station, the anomaly was 4.3°С (2.5 ). The winter season of 2013 has become the warmest season at the station from 1957. In winter of 2013, small (about 1) below zero anomalies of mean seasonal air temperature were recorded only in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean sector of East Antarctica. In the spring season, the area of the above zero anomalies spread almost to the whole territory of Antarctica. Large above zero anomalies were observed in all regions of Antarctica. Their largest values took place in the inland regions. At Amundsen-Scott and Vostok stations, the anomaly was 3.7°С (2.3 ) and so the spring season 2013 has become the warmest for the time of operation of these stations. The area of small (less than 1) below zero anomalies was located in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula. In general for the year, small (less than 1) anomalies of mean annual air temperature (see Fig. 2.1, Table 2.3) were noted at most stations. In the inland regions and in the coastal regions of East Antarctica, there was an area of the above zero anomalies. Their highest values were recorded at Amundsen-Scott (1.9°С, 3.2 ), Vostok (1.3°С, 1.6 ) and McMurdo (1.8°С, 2.0 ) stations. The year 2013 at these stations became the first, fifth and second warmest year, respectively. The area of small below zero anomalies of mean annual air temperature was observed only in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean sector of East Antarctica.

Table 2.3

Mean annual air temperature (T°С), its anomalies (ΔT°С) and normalized anomalies (ΔT/σ) at the Antarctic stations in 2013

Station T ΔT ΔT/σ Largest Least anomaly anomaly Amundsen-Scott -47.5 1.9 3.2 2013(+1.9) 1983(-1.6) Novolazarevskaya -9.8 0.5 0.7 2002(+1.6) 1976(-1.0) Syowa -9.9 0.5 0.7 1980(+2.2) 1976(-1.7) Mawson -10.8 0.5 0.7 1961(+1.7) 1982(-2.2) Davis -10.1 0.2 0.2 2007(+2.4) 1982(-2.4) Mirny -10.9 0.4 0.6 2007(+1.9) 1993(-1.5) Casey -9.5 -0.5 -0.5 1980(+2.5) 1999(-2.3) Dumont D’Urville -11.3 -0.7 -1.2 1981(+1.8) 1999(-1.5) McMurdo -15.3 1.8 2.0 2011(+2.7) 1968(-1.5) Rothera -4.4 0.4 0.3 1989(+3.0) 1980(-3.8) Bellingshausen -2.6 -0.1 -0.1 1989(+1.8) 1980(-1.5) Orcadas -3.1 0.4 0.4 1989(+2.1) 1980(-2.6) Halley-Bay -18.0 0.3 0.3 1969(+2.0) 1997(-2.8) Vostok -54.0 1.3 1.6 2007(+2.2) 1960(-2.0)

Note: the Table contains in brackets the values of the largest and smallest anomalies of mean annual air temperature observed at each station.

In 2013, the new highest and lowest mean monthly values of air temperature were recorded at the Antarctic stations (Table 2.4). September was especially extreme in 2013.

Table 2.4

New highest and lowest mean monthly air temperature values at the Antarctic stations in 2013, °С

Station New mean monthly maximum New mean monthly minimum Halley (June) -17.5 (9.1, 2.8 ) Dumont D’Urville (July) -20.9 (-4.6, -2.0 ) Amundsen-Scott (August) -53.3 (6.2, 2.1 ) Amundsen-Scott (September) -51.2 (8.1, 3.3 ) Mirny (September) -10.5 (6.2, 2.4 ) Casey (September) -8.4 (6.0, 2.2 ) McMurdo (September) -18.5 (6.2, 2.1 ) Mawson (September) -12.4 (4.9, 2.0 ) Davis (September) -11.2 (5.3, 1.9 ). Syowa (November) -3.9 (2.5, 2.7 ) Bellingshausen (December) -1.4 (-1.8, -3.6 ) Rothera (December) -2.3 (-1.9, -3.6 ) Note: anomalies and normalized anomalies are given in brackets.

Considering the interannual changes of mean annual and average for some seasons air temperatures for the period 1957-2013 at some stations (Table 2.5), one can note both the general regularities spreading to significant Antarctic territories and the local peculiarities at the specific stations.

Table 2.5

Linear trend parameters of mean seasonal and mean annual air temperature for the period 1957-2013

Station Summer Autumn Winter Spring Year Bx D Bx D Bx D Bx D Bx D Amundsen-Scott 0.03 4.2 -0.01 0.8 -0.09 8.9 0.12 12.9 0.01 03.0 Novolazarevskaya 0.06 11.5 -0.01 1.6 0.32 29.2 0.22 31.9 0.15 34.1 Syowa 0.04 11.7 -0.12 15.2 0.15 15.3 0.04 6.2 0.03 6.6 Mawson -0.04 7.8 -0.11 13.2 0.04 3.7 0.11 16.8 0.00 0.4 Davis 0.07 15.5 -0.03 3.1 0.07 6.0 0.32 37.1 0.11 20.0 Mirny -0.03 6.9 -0.01 1.5 0.18 18.2 0.22 30.1 0.09 18.2 Casey -0.07 15.8 -0.11 9.5 0.21 19.0 0.16 20.4 0.05 8.6 Dumont D’Urville -0.01 3.0 -0.27 37.1 0.04 4.3 0.15 25.3 -0.02 5.8 McMurdo 0.11 20.3 0.25 26.4 0.29 22.9 0.49 50.0 0.29 49.6 Rothera 0.29 27.7 0.18 43.4 0.73 58.4 0.88 43.2 0.51 52.4 Bellingshausen 0.06 16.5 0.27 32.5 0.35 23.7 0.01 1.9 0.17 28.6 Orcadas 0.17 45.5 0.24 28.2 0.42 32.1 0.07 9.5 0.23 43.5 Halley-Bay 0.00 0.7 -0.47 36.2 0.00 0.1 0.02 2.6 -0.11 18.2 Vostok 0.20 29.7 0.07 6.3 0.16 11.5 0.08 11.2 0.16 25.7 Note: Вх – linear trend coefficient, °С/10 years; D – dispersion value explained by the linear trend, %. Bold print denotes the values, which are statistically significant at the 5-% level of significance.

Estimates of the linear trends of mean seasonal air temperature at the Antarctic stations showed the above zero air temperature trends to prevail in the winter and spring seasons. One should note that most of the trend values are insignificant statistically. The statistically significant (at the 5% level of significance) positive trends in winter are noted in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula and at the Atlantic coast – Rothera (4.2 °C/57 years), Novolazarevskaya (1.7 °С/52 years). The negative linear trends of air temperature are detected only in the area of the South Pole. Here at Amundsen-Scott station, the trend value comprises -0.5 °С/57 years. This trend is however insignificant. In the spring season the positive trends are present over the entire territory of Antarctica. The statistically significant trends take place in the central part of the Indian Ocean coast (Davis station), in the area of the Ross Sea (McMurdo station) and in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula (Rothera station). At these stations, the air temperature increase was 1.8, 2.8 and 5.0 °С/57 years, respectively. 46

In the summer and autumn seasons the statistically significant increase of air temperature is still preserved in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. At Rothera station, the increase of air temperature in the summer season was 1.6°С/57 years, and at Bellingshausen station in the autumn season, it was 1.2°С/45 years. In the inland areas one also notes a positive trend sign. Here the largest trend of air temperature is noted at Vostok station (1.1°С/56 years). The decrease of air temperature in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean coast (Dumont D’Urville station) and in the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (Halley station) continues to be preserved in these seasons. The largest decrease was manifested in the autumn season. So, at Dumont D’Urville station the trend value is -1.5°С/57 years, and at Halley station, it is -2.7°С/57 years. In general for the period 1957-2013 at most Antarctic stations there is a positive linear trend of mean annual air temperature. The largest trend values are recorded in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. Here at Bellingshausen station, the statistically significant increase of air temperature was about 0.8°С/45 years (from 1969) and at Rothera station, it was 2.9°С/57 years (from 1957). The tendencies for the decrease of mean annual air temperature for the period 1957-2013 are observed in the area of the east coast of he Weddell Sea (Halley station equal to -0.6 °С/57 years) and in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean coast (Dumont D’Urville station), but these tendencies are statistically insignificant. One can note in the last decades the appearance of the negative trends at some stations, however in general for the period under consideration a positive linear trend of mean annual air temperature is recorded at most stations, and it is statistically significant. So the tendency for warming of Antarctica is preserved.

References: 1. http://www.south.aari.nw.ru 2. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climatedata.html 3. http://www.nerc-bas.ac.uk/public/icd/metlog/jones_and_limbert.html 4. Atlas of the Oceans. The Southern Ocean. GUNiO МО RF, St. Petersburg, 2005

Fig.2.1. Mean monthly and mean annual values of (1), anomalies (2) and normalized anomalies (3) of surface air temperatures in October (X), November (XI), December (XII) and in general for 2013 (I-XII) from data of stationary meteorological stations in the South Polar Area.

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

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

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

Fig.2.5. Anomalies of mean seasonal air temperature at the Antarctic stations in 2013.

52 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2013

The period under consideration is extremely important for the assessment of hydrometeorological processes over the South Polar area – this is end of winter, short Antarctic spring and beginning of the summer season. A significant change of the underlying surface occurs at this time due to melting and destruction of drifting ice in the Southern Ocean. These phenomena occur in the area of the polar atmospheric front and result in its displacement to the south, which in combination with the increased influx of solar radiation over the entire Antarctica strongly influences the seasonal change of the character of the atmospheric processes. In October, unlike the entire winter season, the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes decreased (Table 3.1). The most active was the meridional circulation of the Southern Hemisphere Ма, and the frequency of occurrence of form Мb was slightly less than usually. The cyclonic activity developed at the zonal trajectories of the mean latitudinal localization. Of the active meridional trajectories of cyclones one can note the Falkland, South African and East Pacific branches and rarer – the Kerguelen and New Zealand branches. The Antarctic anticyclone was well developed. The intensity of the atmospheric circulation was higher than in the previous month. The field of mean monthly anomalies of the atmospheric pressure was formed in accordance with the mean latitudinal zonality and the intensified continental High and the positive anomalies were observed over most of the Antarctic regions except for the Antarctic Peninsula. Over the Antarctic Plateau, they exceeded 4 hPa and at the coast of Antarctica the anomalies were smaller. Over the Bellingshausen Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula and also above the central Indian Ocean and Tasmania-New Zealand sectors there were observed centers of negative anomalies. Between them – over the South Atlantic and above the East Australian and central Pacific Ocean sectors, one observed centers of positive air pressure anomalies. The air temperature anomalies were in general low over most of the South Polar areas. One should only note the above zero air temperature anomalies above the coast of Prydz Bay and the Ross Sea and above the inland area of East Antarctica at Vostok station. The precipitation field in October above the high latitudes had a non-uniform character. In November, the tendency for the dominance of prevailing meridional circulation forms over zonal ones was continued (Table 3.1). The more active was still the circulation form Ма. A typical peculiarity of November was intensification of cyclonic activity over the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic. Cyclones moved predominantly along the Falkland, South African and Kerguelen branches of the trajectories. It is necessary to note an obviously decreased cyclogenesis over the Australian and Pacific Ocean sectors of the Antarctic. The dominance of the meridional atmospheric processes and the peculiarities of development of the cyclonic activity were reflected in the distribution of mean monthly field of atmospheric pressure anomalies. The anomalies were increased above most of the Antarctic regions, including the Antarctic Plateau (with the core in the vicinity of Vostok station), but they did not reach the extreme values. Of interest is quite an extensive belt of the positive anomalies extending from the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean across the Australian and almost the whole Pacific Ocean sector [1]. The main cores of this belt were located above the Australian and central Pacific Ocean sectors. A deep core of the negative pressure anomalies was observed above the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea and the adjoining regions. At the center of this core the anomalies comprised large values. The field of air temperature anomalies in November was mainly above zero. The significant positive anomalies covered almost the entire continental Antarctic region. The most significant excess of the amount of precipitation was noted at the coast of the Lazarev Sea, which was connected with intensification of cyclones of the Falkland branch. Due to a meridional outflow of humid air masses inside the continent, the increased amount of precipitation was also observed in the area of Vostok station.

Table 3.1

Frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere and their anomalies (days) in 2013

Months Frequency of occurrence Anomaly

Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb January 14 2 15 0 -9 9

February 9 10 9 -5 2 3

March 11 13 7 -4 3 1

April 18 6 6 6 -4 -2

May 11 10 10 2 -4 2

June 15 10 5 8 -5 -3

July 11 10 10 1 -2 1

August 13 11 7 1 0 -1

September 15 7 8 3 -4 1

October 10 15 6 -3 4 -1

November 8 14 8 -4 3 1

December 9 11 11 -4 0 4

In December, the frequency of occurrence of zonal circulation remained decreased (Table 3.1), in spite of the climatic seasonal tendency of its increase in the summer months. Unlike the previous period, this occurred due to intensification of the circulation form Мb. The intensity of the atmospheric processes in December was low. December was the quietest month of the past year. The ridges of the subtropical Highs developed to the south predominantly at the African, central Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean meridians. Therefore the meridional displacement of cyclones to high latitudes mainly occurred along the western peripheries of these ridges. The most active were the South Atlantic, Kerguelen, partly New Zealand and central Pacific Ocean branches of the trajectories. The Antarctic High was weakened. The negative air pressure anomalies dominated over most of the Antarctic regions. The most significant core of the negative anomalies extended from the Scotia Sea to the Riiser-Larsen and Lazarev Seas. The temperature anomalies were mainly within the multiyear average. One can note the cores of the below zero air temperature anomalies over the Antarctic Peninsula and of the above zero anomalies over the inland area of Antarctica. Analyzing the peculiarities of the atmospheric macro-processes over the South Polar areas for the entire year 2013, one can note the main feature of this period – a significant noticeable excess over the mean multiyear values of the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes in the middle of the year (April-September) after a significant decrease at the beginning of the year and the next decrease of the frequency of occurrence of zonal circulation in the last three months of the year (Table 3.1). This was at the background of alternating intensification and attenuation of two meridional circulation forms, that is, displacement of localization of conducting high pressure ridges, determining the form and location of long thermal baric waves. One should note at this the dominance of the negative air pressure anomalies over the Antarctic in the first part of the year and positive – in the second (except for December). The air temperature regime had a more complicated character and one can speak about the more frequent dominance of the above zero air temperature anomalies throughout the year in different Antarctic regions.

Fig. 3.1. Diagram of the variations of anomalies of the circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere (days) and their smoothed curves for 2004-2013.

During the analysis of the circulation conditions of the last decade, the diagram of the variations of anomalies of the circulation forms, presented in Fig. 3.1, is quite indicative. As can be seen from the diagram, the zonal circulation had a noticeable peak in the middle of the decade, and lately it also began to decrease. The frequency of occurrence of the meridional circulation form Ма was decreased in general, and of the form Мb - increased. The general picture of the last period indicates that at present the atmospheric macro-circulation at temperate and high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere is at the stage of the circulation modification. The past year 2013 is characterized by the instability of the atmospheric processes.

References: 1. http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cmb.cgi?page

55 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE, SHIPBORNE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2013

The sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean from September 2012 to the middle of February 2013 has decreased only 5-fold – from 19.5 to 3.8 mln km2 [1] compared to the usual 6-fold decrease from winter to summer. As a result, the amount of residual ice exceeded the multiyear average (3.1 mln km2) approximately by a quarter. The approximately equal contribution to the elevated background sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean was made by the increased by half compared to a multiyear average Atlantic and the Balleny ice massifs, and the ice belt that has also reached the record size in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean sector (Fig. 4.1), the area of which was twice (!) as large as the mean multiyear value. This is connected with the absence for the second year in succession of the landfast ice-iceberg peninsula along 150 E, which had constrained before the western coastal advection of unordinary ice that had accumulated in the Somov Sea. However in spite of appearing possibility of the ice flow westward, the Balleny ice massif in the summertime was still increased and occupied the central position extending to 65 S and continuing blocking the Balleny Islands. The Atlantic massif with the eastern boundary along 40 W was extremely elongated in the northern direction due to persistent for a whole year north ice export advection from the “body” of the massif. Under its impact the ice tongue along 50 W throughout the whole summer spread record far to the 61st parallel. Due to this, the ice blockade of the South Orkneys that began from late March 2012 was interrupted only in February 2013. The compressed state of the massif in the northwest of the Weddell Sea determined an anomalously late ice clearance of Erebus and Terror Bays only in the middle of March. Besides, here near the south coast of Joinville Island in Firth of Tay Bay, one observed an exceptional situation of landfast ice that was established last autumn to be preserved until February. According to data of the R/V “Akademik Tryoshnikov”, it was comprised of jammed brash multiyear ice barrier of the massif “body” with prevailing thickness of 2-3 m, in places up to 4.5 m at snow concentration of 10-20 cm. However it was most remarkable that there was no landfast ice breakup in the bends of the glacial coast on both sides of the Seal Rocks between 64-66 S. This probably marks the beginning of restoration here of two northern parts of the Larsen Ice Shelf (А and В), which were crushed in January 1995 and in summer 2002. The directly opposite situation of non-pressed state of the ice massif was observed in the south and east of the Weddell Sea. For the first time during the last decade an extensive through polynya occurred along the entire coast from Cape Norway to the Bowman Peninsula, which was connected with the open ocean in the area of 20 W in February. The absence of a giant landfast ice peninsula at 40 W, similar to the area of 150 E for the first time in the new millennium has contributed to this. This peninsula was also formed on the basis of iceberg concentration, grounded at the underwater Berkner Rise. During 2012 due to a probable intensification of the Weddell Gyre, the main mass of icebergs abandoned this area. Here one giant iceberg was left, which presents a central part of the calved in 1986 super-tongue of the Filchner Ice Shelf. The iceberg has been “sitting” (grounded) for a quarter of the century at a point of 76○ S, 41○ W, being a top of the aforementioned landfast ice peninsula. The Pacific Ocean massif was in general developed much less compared with a multiyear average. Only in the Ross Sea, the external ice belt edge was much more to the north than mean multiyear position, reaching the 70th parallel. Here in the vicinity of 180 of longitude, the delayed connection of the Ross polynya with the open ocean took place only in the middle of February. In the area of Russkaya station, on the opposite there was still a deficit of ice resources after the summer clearance of 2011. The ice edge was mainly at 72-73 S reaching to 74 S opposite the Cape Berks. In the Amundsen Sea, the sea ice extent corresponded to a multiyear average. On the other hand in the neighboring Bellingshausen Sea, one observed a unique situation of its complete clearance from ice, in spite of the increased sea ice extent of the basin in spring. Only in deep bends of the Alexander I Land there were preserved insignificant zones of predominantly multiyear landfast ice. This landfast ice is probably in the equilibrium state, as it is underlain by very warm waters. So, in the data of the R/V “Akademik Tryoshnikov”, the thickness of old landfast ice at the head of Simonov Bay near the northern barrier of the George VI Ice Shelf in the middle of February 2013 was only about 80 cm at the same thickness of the snow cover. The water temperature under the ice was -0.9 С, becoming above zero already at a depth of 150 m and reaching +1.2 С at a greater depth. It is interesting that a similar situation with multiyear landfast ice was observed at the other side of Antarctica in Prydz Bay. Here in the vicinity of Progress station, landfast ice in Zapadnaya (Nella) Bay, which did not break up since 2009 and grew annually in winter approximately to 2 m, has almost melt this summer due to water heating to +1 С. The thickness of 5-year landfast ice decreased from 210 to 40 cm. Breakup of landfast ice this year took place in general earlier than usually (Table 4.1). Moreover only by the end of February the three-year landfast ice was completely destroyed and exported to the Cosmonauts Sea, and by the middle of March – to the Lazarev Sea to Leningradsky Bay, including the area of the shore base in Belaya Bay. The Riiser-Larsen and the Commonwealth Seas were also mainly ice-cleared. Large areas of old landfast ice were preserved as usually in Lutzow-Holm Bay and in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean sector – in the areas of the iceberg tongues of the Totten, Dalton-May (Porpoise Bay) and Dibble glaciers and in the Pacific Ocean sector to 56 the east of Leningradskaya station and between 140-150 W to the west of Russkaya station.

February 2013 May 2013

September 2013 December 2013

Fig. 4.1. Mean monthly (1) location of the external northern sea ice edge in February, May, September and December 2013 relative to its maximum (2), average (3) and minimal (4) spreading in the Southern Ocean for a multiyear period.

Table 4.1 Dates of the onset of main ice phases in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in 2013 Station Landfast ice Ice clearance Ice formation Landfast ice Freeze up breakup formation (water body) Start End First Final First Stable First Stable First Final Mirny Actual 11.11.12 26.01 08.02 NO1 08.03 16.03 02.04 02.04 16.04 21.04 (roadstead) Multi- 23.12 09.02 12.02 NO 11.03 12.03 30.03 02.04 14.04 17.04 year average Progress Actual 14.12.12 18.01 NO NO 13.02 13.02 16.02 13.03 01.04 01.04 (Vostochnaya Multi- 30.12 13.01 NO NO 16.02 17.02 06.03 08.03 26.03 26.03 year Bay) average Bellingshausen Actual 10.10 07.11 07.11 17.11 24.05 20.06 04.07 17.07 01.08 01.08 (Ardley Bay) Multi- 14.09 13.10 21.10 01.11 12.05 06.06 09.06 17.06 30.06 05.07 year average Note: 1 – Phenomenon was not observed (does not occur).

The nine-year old landfast ice at the head of Sannefjord Bay in Prydz Bay was not broken up, which is usual. Its thickness near the ice edge from data of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” was 150-170 cm in the middle of March at the snow thickness of 30-50 cm. On 26 March there was calving of the tongue of the outlet Publication glacier. The iceberg formed with a size of 10х15 km at the beginning of April blocked the entrance to the bay, which by that time was narrowed to 14 km due to expansion to the northeast of the Amery Ice Shelf, continuing from the 1980s. As a result, Sannefjord Bay turned into the inaccessible ice bay surrounded by glacier ice from all sides, as it had already been from the catastrophic calving of the Amery Ice Shelf in 1964. However the most unordinary event should be preservation of unbroken landfast ice with a width of 20 km in the Commonwealth Bay in the D’Urville Sea, which bound completely for the first time the bay by the end of April 2012. Uniqueness of this event is that no freeze up of this water area was ever observed before. From the description of Douglas Mawson [2, p. 89], only an ice shore strip with a width not more than 100 m surrounding the cape is formed in the area of the Antarctic “Pole of Winds” - Cape Denison. An obvious cause of landfast ice formation here was a giant iceberg 60х20 km, finally stranded opposite the Commonwealth Bay in late March 2011. It blocked the export from the bay of an enormous mass of ice produced by supercooled waters of the local recurring polynya, which is preserved the year round due to constant hurricane winds. The picture of new autumn ice formation was quite various. In the coastal zone of the high-latitudinal bends of the Weddell, Ross and Commonwealth Seas, it began as usual in the middle of February and was quite intensive. As a result, the aforementioned basins were completely ice-covered already by the end of March. The thickness of young landfast ice in the area of Progress station comprised 23 cm (Table 4.2). In the other regions, the ice formation occurred in the first part of March. However it has never occurred in the enormous water area between 60-110 W, including the entire Pacific Ocean coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Bellingshausen Sea and Pine- Island Bay of the Amundsen Sea, the recurring polynya of which at the end of March became connected with the open ocean.

Table 4.2 Landfast ice thickness and snow depth on it (in cm) in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in 2013

Station Parameters II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Actual 53 63 72 85 112 128 130 126 117 Multiyear 22 47 68 84 101 121 139 152 157 145 average Snow Actual 5 9 11 28 17 17 17 27 10 Multiyear 1 10 15 18 18 19 20 20 22 20 average Ice Actual 23 44 64 90 107 122 135 141 145 142 Progress Multiyear 32 55 79 97 117 132 145 155 152 135 average Snow Actual 0 2 3 10 25 16 14 24 25 6 Multiyear 4 6 8 5 6 7 7 8 4 3 average Bellingshausen Ice 14 55 64 Snow 1 16 17

So, the navigation period 2013 was abundant in diametrically opposite ice situations, which is possibly connected with general intensification of the Southern Ocean circulation and the accompanying intensification of cyclonic activity. In the regions of return circulation branches, heat advection to the Antarctic area of deep water of circumpolar origin resulted in the increased development of polynyas of the open sea (Ross, Weddell, Cosmonauts), recurring coastal polynyas and in a rapid destruction of the ice cover. In the regions of the northern export branches, there was on the contrary the intensive spreading of cold Antarctic water, ice and icebergs. It is quite symptomatic that the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” at the route to Capetown record far in the north (at the 45th parallel at 4-5 E) encountered on 3 April 2013 a patch of about 140 icebergs, bergy bits and fragments. The destroying tabular bergs about 400 m in length prevailed with the largest bergs reaching 1 km. It is obvious that this concentration appeared nearby as a result of rapid crushing of a very big iceberg, which was able to cross the Antarctic convergence zone at 50 S. This is probably one of two remnants of giant icebergs calved from the Ross Ice Shelf at the very beginning of the 20th century and reaching by September 2012 the north coast of South Georgia Island [3]. In autumn in April-May, the Antarctic ice belt rapidly expanded. This was at the background of the remaining from summer increased residual sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean. In May, the ice edge has reached the close to maximum northern location in the east of the Weddell Gyre between 0-20E, in the Davis and Mawson, Somov and Ross Seas, occupying its mean multiyear position in the other basins (Fig. 4.1). Only in the area of Russkaya station, in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas, it was still located anomalously far in the south around the 70th parallel. However, in June, there was also a fantastically rapid ice advance to the north to 65S. As a result, the ice cover area in the Pacific Ocean sector achieved the record value for this time of the year of about 6.5 mln km2 over the entire available period of regular satellite measurements from 1979. The ice extent in the Bellingshausen Sea exceeded (by 10%) for the first time in this year the mean multiyear value, and an ice tongue began to develop from the area of Marguerite Bay (65S, 70W) towards the Drake Passage. The area of the sea ice belt, which has reconstructed the circumpolar character in the Antarctic increased to 15.2 mln km2. However one should note the final termination of the intensive ice export from the “body” of the Atlantic massif in April, observed in the northwest of the Weddell Sea from February 2012. As a result, the area of the South Orkney Islands was ice-free to the middle of May. In June, the ice edge occupied here an anomalously southern location, reaching only the 60th parallel. Besides in the absence of the inflow of cold water and accompanying ice flow from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait, the process of local ice formation was delayed for not less than half a month according to data of Bellingshausen station (Table 4.1). Quite remarkable appears to be a brief character of landfast ice establishment this year. In only 1.5 months after the final decay, the landfast ice in Leningradsky Bay in the Lazarev Sea was completely reconstructed already by the end of April within the maximal winter boundaries. During May, young landfast ice in the Cosmonauts and Commonwealth Seas completely bound the shelf area. In the Commonwealth Bay, a zone of young landfast ice was frozen to residual landfast ice and a giant iceberg retaining it from the north. It was probably formed at the base of concentration of grounded smaller icebergs. As a result, like in the last year, a landfast ice-iceberg peninsula more than 100 km in length appeared in the bay for which the formation of fast ice is not typical at all. A solid band of landfast ice was reconstructed from Leningradskaya station to Cape Adare (160-170E) in the Somov Sea and near the Scott Shore in the Ross Sea at 75-78S. A giant landfast ice peninsula was formed along 110W at the base of accumulation of icebergs that were stranded on the underwater ridge in the area of Thwaites glacier in the Amundsen Sea. In the middle of June, a landfast ice-iceberg peninsula was formed again along 150 E. An indicative event appears to be a simultaneous reconstruction in the area of Russkaya station of a characteristic toothed ledge of landfast ice between Cape Berks and a concentration of icebergs at the Aristov Bank, which disappeared in 2009. In the case of existence of this 59 ledge about 60 km long, which hinders the western coastal ice advection, heavy navigation conditions usually appear here. It is indicative that new landfast ice was obviously about 10 cm less in thickness than the average values (Table 4.2). But the intensity of growth of multiyear landfast ice was even lower. As a result in the area of Progress station in Zapadnaya (Nella) Bay by the end of June, young first-year and old five-year landfast ice, which has melted during summer to 40 cm, were absolutely equal achieving 90 cm by thickness. Over the entire winter period, the area of ice spreading in the Southern Ocean continued to exceed the multiyear average approximately by 0.8 mln km2. The observed values of the total sea ice extent have become maximal for the entire 35-year period of satellite microwave measurements in the Antarctic. By the end of July, the sea ice area increased over the month from 15.2 to 17.4 mln km2, in August – up to 19 mln km2 and in September, the last year maximum of sea ice extent, equal to 19.5 mln km2 was repeated. The most remarkable event was a transfer of the leadership in formation of the increased background sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean sector, where beginning from June, the record ice cover areas were noted. In September, both sectors became equal – by 7.5 mln km2 of ice in each. However, while the Atlantic massif was developed in accordance with a multiyear average, the area of the Pacific Ocean massif exceeded it by 4 approximately 10% (Fig. 4.3). This comprised about /5 of the observed positive anomaly of sea ice extent of the ocean in total. The increased size characterized the ice belt in the Somov Sea, in the vicinity of Russkaya station and in the Drake Passage, where the ice belt edge reached the 60th parallel. Probably, restoring of the Pacific Ocean massif, strongly degraded from 2009, began. In this respect, the development of ice events in the area of Bellingshausen station appears to be quite indicative. The ice tongue, which started spreading in June from the area of Marguerite Bay towards the Drake Passage, reached in a month the archipelago of the South Shetland Islands. Encirclement of King George Island by ice from all sides in the middle of July was at once manifested in the formation of stable landfast ice in Ardley Bay (Table 4.1). As a result, in spite of the delay for a month of landfast ice formation due to the weakened advection of the Weddell Sea water and ice in Bransfield Strait in the autumn-winter period, the whole bay was by 1 August rapidly covered with landfast ice, which bound it for about 2.5 months. It is remarkable that the winter intensity of landfast ice growth near Bellingshausen station was the same as at the roadstead of Mirny station in autumn. As a result, the thickness of landfast ice in Ardley Bay by the end of September, in spite of large snow concentration, was more than 60 cm (Table 4.2). This was a local multiyear average before the beginning of the period of “warm” winters in 1996-2006. At the other stations, the thickness of landfast ice during the whole winter was less than mean multiyear values almost by 10 cm. Concluding the topic of the probable beginning of restoration of the Pacific Ocean ice massif, one should note the establishment of landfast ice in the maximum possible boundaries near the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula in the middle of September, which was not observed for a long time. Marguerite Bay was completely frozen. Brief establishment of landfast ice was also observed over the entire coastal water area south of Biscoe Archipelago between Adelaide and Anvers Islands. Spring destruction of the ice cover in most of the regions was quite sluggish. The most significant events in October were a very early appearance of recurring polynya in the Ross Sea and a complete clearance of the area of the South Orkneys, which was accompanied with breakup of landfast ice in Ardley Bay, delayed for about a month (Table 4.1). As a result, the area of Antarctic sea ice decreased by the end of the month by more than 5% – from 19.5 to 18.2 mln km2. One should also note a record low thickness of landfast ice at the roadstead of Mirny this year (Table 4.2). After achieving in early October the thickness of 130 cm, the ice growth was stopped by almost two months earlier than the multiyear average, which was never observed before. In November, the processes of melting were slightly intensified. In the area of Mirny, weak melting of landfast ice began, whereas in the neighboring area of Progress station, it continued to slightly grow. The ice edge in the sector of the Weddell Gyre retreated approximately to 59 S, to 62 S in the Cosmonauts, Commonwealth and Davis Seas and to 61S in the Mawson and D’Urville Seas. However in the Pacific Ocean sector, its position remained practically unchanged near the 60th parallel in the Somov Sea and 65 S over the entire water area up to the Antarctic Peninsula. An anomalously increased expansion of the Ross polynya was observed, the top of which at 175 E reached 73 S. The Weddell polynya was on the opposite distinguished by the weakened development, being formed only in the end of November. As a result, the sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean was reduced only to 15.3 mln km2, which exceeds the multiyear average approximately by 1 mln km2. In December, at the decrease of the area of sea ice spreading to 9.7 mln km2, the positive anomaly of the sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean already comprised 1.5 mln km2 due to continued weakened thermal decay of the ice cover. Thus, melting of landfast ice at the roadstead of Mirny station for a month was not greater than 10 cm. Moreover in the area of Progress station to the middle of December, ice was still observed to grow in spite of the extreme snow concentration reaching 147 cm. The giant “furnace” of the Ross polynya was still the only exception, rapidly growing up to 70 S. However over much of the Pacific Ocean sector, the external northern edge of the ice belt continued to be preserved near the 65th parallel. Its significant retreat to the south occurred in the Somov Sea – up to 64 S, and in the Amundsen Sea – up to 70 S. In the Atlantic sector, probably due to the increased export ice advection, the ice edge was mainly stabilized near 60 S. Only by the end of the month, there was a rapid as usually 60 ice clearance of a vast territory of the eastern part of the Weddell Gyre at 60-67 S and 10 W – 30 E, which is a sphere of action of the Weddell polynya phenomenon. Especially much ice, the amount of which exceeded the multiyear average approximately by ⅓, was observed in the seas of the Indian Ocean sector. It is remarkable that there was no active breakup of numerous extensive zones of landfast ice, which usually occurs at this time. Presence of landfast ice in the D’Urville Sea in the Commonwealth inlet in the form of the extended landfast ice – iceberg peninsula, never observed here before, determined the situation where the ship of the Far Eastern Hydrometeorological Institute “Akademik Shokalsky” was beset in ice during the period 24 December 2013 – 7 January 2014. At the time of the increased east wind here the ship was from the east windward side of the given peninsula and was in a patch of solid drifting ice, closely pressed to landfast ice by the wind and the constant Coastal Antarctic Current. This unordinary old ice was brought here from the east from the Balleny ice massif located in the neighboring Somov Sea, which has grown to the record dimensions for the last decade.

So in the Southern Ocean in 2013, the tendency for the increased sea ice extent and accompanying increased severity of navigation conditions that clearly appeared from the first years of the new millennium, was continued mainly due to the increase of the amount of old ice, which is predominantly determined by the delayed dates of landfast ice breakup.

References:

1. http://wdc.aari.ru/datasets/ssmi/data/south/extent/ 2. Mawson D. Motherland of snow storms. М.: Mysl’, 1967. 334 p. 3. http://the-day-x.ru/v-yuzhnoj-atlantike-obnaruzhili-gigantskie-ajsbergi.html

61 5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2013

In 2013, regular measurements of total ozone (TO) at three Russian Antarctic stations Vostok, Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations were continued by the AARI and RAE specialists: processing and analysis of the information reported from Antarctica were performed. The results of TO monitoring are presented in the quarterly bulletins “State of Antarctic Environment” and also in the WMO Antarctic Ozone Bulletins [2]. During the first half of the year, the modification of the circulation from the summer type to the winter type occurred as usually above the Antarctic. From the end of February the ozone layer temperature decreased and formation of the polar stratospheric vortex began [2-5]. In 2013, the area of the ozone hole increased slower in the first part of August than in the previous years, however in the second part of the month it increased more rapidly than in 2010-2012. The area of the hole achieved its maximum (from data in [4]) equal to 24 mln km2 on 16 September. For the last twenty years, the area of the ozone hole was only four times (in 2002, 2004, 2010 and 2012) smaller than in the current year [2]. In spring 2013, there was a significant decrease of the ozone concentration as usually in recent years at the Russian Vostok and Novolazarevskaya stations (Fig. 5.1, Table 5.1). The Figure presents mean daily values of total ozone for the specific years, averaged for the entire observation period. Grey color denotes the area covering all TO values for the specific day over the entire observation period (the upper and lower boundaries of this area correspond to the maximum and minimum mean daily TO values).

600 1 600 a) 3 500 2 500

400 400 DU

300 300 ozone,

Total 200 200

100 100

0 0 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

600 b) 600

500 500

400 400 DU

300 300 ozone,

Total 200 200

100 100

0 0 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

600 600 c)

500 500

400 400 DU

300 300 ozone,

Total 200 200

100 100

0 0 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Date 1 - mean daily TO values averaged for the entire observation period, 2 - mean daily TO values in 2013, 3 - mean daily TO values in the season 2012-2013 Fig. 5.1 Mean daily total ozone values at the Russian Antarctic Mirny (а), Novolazarevskaya (b) and Vostok (c) stations. 62

One should note significant TO values at Mirny station in spring and a very high ozone concentration at this station on some days when the TO values were maximum for the corresponding periods over the entire observation period (27-28 August and 17-22 September). One observes significant fluctuations of ozone concentration from day- to-day and much higher TO values in the spring time at this station compared to the other stations especially in the last years. Such variability of ozone concentration at Mirny stations is explained by the peripheral location of the station relative to the most frequently observed geographical location of the ozone hole and changes in the shape of the hole during spring.

Table 5.1

Statistical characteristics of mean daily TO values (Dobson units) at the Russian Antarctic stations in 2013

January February March April August September October November December Mirny Average 328 324 323 302 277 372 360 313 345 σ 14 14 24 16 44 76 58 51 8 Maximum 354 354 365 328 386 455 455 371 367 Minimum 290 295 274 261 216 235 260 223 330 Novolazarevskaya Average 306 302 288 262 219 199 206 342 324 σ 13 14 15 22 12 24 23 43 15 Maximum 324 326 321 315 241 234 264 395 354 Minimum 274 277 265 215 198 160 157 226 304 Vostok Average 309 290 267 205 246 301 344 σ 10 16 31 30 50 41 24 Maximum 324 321 332 256 371 361 373 Minimum 286 250 204 149 169 235 287

References:

1 Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of the Russian Antarctic stations”. SI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2012-2013, No. 1-4 2 Antarctic Ozone Bulletin, 2012-2013, No. 1-6 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/ozone/index.html 3 http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met 4 http://ozone-watch.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 5 http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/sbuv2to/

63 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2013

Analysis of geophysical materials of the Antarctic stations for the 4th quarter of 2013

Geomagnetic data

The geomagnetic observations in the fourth quarter of 2013 were carried out at Vostok, Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Progress stations under the standard program. As can be seen from the presented data, the average quarter absolute values of the Earth’s magnetic field components (EMF) at Mirny, Vostok and Progress stations have not practically changed compared to the second quarter of 2013. They are not greater than 18 nT and can be explained by the general change of magnetic activity in the second and third quarters. The largest changes similar to the previous quarter were noted at Novolazarevskaya station. The vertical component value has decreased (by module) by 18 nT. At Progress station during the period 17 to 29 December 2013, the inspection of geophysical observations was carried out. Based on the inspection results, it was determined that: – the magnetic and riometer observations are carried out by specialists of the geophysical group at the times and in the volume envisaged by the corresponding observation programs; – the state of equipment is satisfactory; – the magnetic pavilion is situated at a distance of only 62 m from the service-living complex (SLC). All distortions generated in the process of work and life activity of the SLC influence operation of magnetometric and riometer instruments. Besides, the pavilion is characterized by low heat insolation capability, which makes it practically impossible to retain air temperature fluctuations within the range (1С), required for accurate measurements; – the consistent change of the declination angle and the ambient air temperature was revealed, indicating the temperature influence on the observation results, which is inadmissible. For further improvement of the quality of geophysical observations at Progress station it is necessary to address the problem of establishing a new pavilion at a greater distance from the SLC and organization of data transmission in real time.

At all stations, the measurements of the basis values of variometers were regularly carried out. At Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Progress stations, the basis values are stable and the error of their measurements is within the permissible bounds. However at Vostok station one should undertake measures to reduce the measurement errors. The absolute magnetic measurements in the fourth quarter were not made at Vostok station due to breakdown of the instrument. The РС-index values are calculated at the Department of Geophysics in real time and are posted as a diagram at the AARI web-site. All ionospheric perturbations noted from the data of riometers are followed on the magnetograms of these stations.

Riometer data

A monthly set of the maximum (for each 24 h) absorption values is analyzed. The analysis presents an assessment of the work of riometers in general and the classification of riometer absorption increases depending on the factors influencing these increases. The increases with the amplitude greater than 0.5 dB were analyzed. The main abbreviations used in the analysis, are as follows: (1) SPE (solar proton event) – a phenomenon of the increase of solar proton fluxes after strong solar bursts, registered in the interplanetary space and in the Earth’s magnetosphere; fluxes of protons with the energy of 10 MeV (in the integral measurement of F> 10 MeV) make the largest contribution to the absorption; during the analysis such SPE were considered, which had the maximum intensity of Fmax (> 10 MeV) ≥ 5 particles/cm-2 s steradian, exactly at such intensity the PCA type absorption with the amplitude higher than 0.5 dB begins its manifestation; (2) PCA (type of polar cap absorption) – a phenomenon of the increase of absorption determined by the proton fluxes during the SPE; (3) GA (geomagnetic activity) – level of geomagnetic field perturbation; 64

(4) GP (geomagnetic perturbation) – a phenomenon of the increase of geomagnetic activity; intensity of GP is assessed by the Кр index, which reflects a global character of geomagnetic perturbation; as a significant geomagnetic perturbation, the periods were considered where Кр≥20, exactly at such intensity, the AA with the amplitude higher than 0.5 dB begin to be manifested; (5) AA (auroral absorption) – a phenomenon of the increase of absorption determined by the fluxes of magnetospheric particles at the time of global or local geomagnetic perturbations; (6) QDC (Quiet day curve) – a non-perturbed level of the space noise registered by riometers. It is determined by a special algorithm; (7) BA (Background absorption) – stable increased or decreased absorption, which is approximately the same for several days, determined by unstable performance of riometer; (8) BV (background variations) – periodic (daily) absorption variations with the amplitude of 0.2 – 0.4 dB; the BV are determined by drawbacks of processing, due to inaccuracy of QDC selection; the BV often have a sinusoid shape but in some cases differ significantly from it. The absorption increases of the impulse character can be caused by the global factors (SPE and GP), or the local factors (local increase of geomagnetic activity, increase of the level of interference or malfunction of riometer work). The prolonged increased (or decreased) similar absorption values can be caused by riometer fault (BA) or inaccuracy of the QDC (BV). The Internet data on the fluxes of solar protons (with the energy of 1 – 100 MeV) and on the level of geomagnetic activity (Кр index) were used in the analysis. The maximum for the day absorption values were compared with variations of every minute absorption values presented at the site of the Department of Geophysics of the AARI.

October

During this month two SPE phenomena were registered with the maximums on 1 and 30 October (the flux intensity with the energy of protons >10 MeV is equal to 90 and 4 particles/cm-2 s steradian). Four geomagnetic perturbations were registered with the maximums on 2, 9, 14 and 30 October (Кр equal to 8-, 6-, 4+ and 40 , respectively). Vostok (32 MHz). Four absorption increases were registered with the maximums Аmax on 1, 6, 23 and 30 equal to 4, 0.7, 0.6 and 1.1 dB, respectively. The increases on 1 and 30 are the PCA, determined by proton fluxes at the time of the SPE. The increases on 6 and 23 are the local increases, determined by aural particle precipitation or by the temperature change in the mesosphere. Mirny (32 MHz). Two absorption increases were registered with the maximum on 1 and 28 October, equal to 2.6 and 1.0 dB. The increase on 1 October is the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes of the SPE. The increase on 28 October is the AA, connected with the increase of the local GA. Progress (32 MHz). A series of absorption increases was registered with the maximum on 1, 9, 15, 18, 28 October, equal to 3, 1.2, 3.3, 1.1 and 2 dB, respectively. The increase on 1 October is the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes at the time of the SPE. The other increases are the AA, determined by the proton fluxes at the time of the global (on 9 and on 15) and local (on 18, 28) increases of the GA level. The registration level during the whole month was elevated approximately by 0.5 dB due to some instability of riometer operation. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Five absorption increases were registered with the maximums on 2, 6, 10, 15 and 30 October, equal to 7, 1.1, 2.0, 2.7 and 2.4 dB). All increases are the AA, determined by the increase of the global (2, 10, 15, 30) and local (6) GA.

November

During this month, three SPE phenomena were registered: with the maximums on 2, 7 and 19 November and with the flux intensity >10 MeV at the energy of protons, equal to 2, 5 and 3 particles/cm-2 s steradian, respectively. Seven geomagnetic perturbations were registered with the maximums on 3, 7, 9, 11, 15, 23 and 30 November (Кр are equal to 3- , 40 , 50, 5- , 40 , 30 and 3+ respectively). Vostok (32 MHz). Four absorption increases were registered with the maximums on 3, 19, 22 and 27 November, equal to 0.8, 0.7, 0.9 and 0.6 dB, respectively. The increases on 3 and 19 November are the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes at the time of the SPE. The increases on 22 and 27 December are the AA, determined by the increase of the local GA level. Mirny (32 MHz). Two absorption increases were registered with the maximums on 3 and 8 November, equal to 0.9 and 1 dB, respectively. The increase on 3 November is the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes at the time of the SPE. The increase on 8 November is the AA, determined by the increase of the global GA. During the whole month, one observes the increased absorption level of about 0.5 dB, which is connected to processing drawbacks of observation materials (inaccuracy of calculation of the quiet day curve). Progress (32 MHz). Four absorption increases were registered with the maximums on 3, 11, 19, 30 November, equal to 0.6; 2.4; 2.4 and 1.9 dB, respectively. The increase on 3 November is the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes at the time of the SPE. The other increases are the AA, determined by the increased global (on 11 65 and 30) or local (on 19) GA. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Six absorption increases were registered with the maximums on 3, 7, 9, 15, 19 and 30 November, equal to 1.3, 1.8; 3.5; 2.6; 1 and 0.9 dB, respectively, which are the AA, determined by the increased level of the global (3; 7; 10; 15; 30) and local (19) GA.

December

During this month, three SPE phenomena were registered with the maximums on 15, 27 and 29 December (the energy of protons of 1, 1.2 and 20 particles/cm-2 s steradian., respectively). Five geomagnetic perturbations were registered with the maximums on 1, 3. 8, 14 and 25 December (Кр are equal to 4- , 2+, 60, 40 and 30,, respectively). Vostok (32 MHz). Four absorption increases were registered with the maximums on 1; 13; 28 and 29 December, equal to 0.9; 0.6; 1 and 1 dB, respectively. The increase on 29 December is the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes of the SPE. The other increases are the AA, determined by the increased global (1) and local (on 13 and on 28) GA. Mirny (32 MHz). Four absorption increases were registered with the maximum on 1, 8, 28 and 29 December, equal to 0.7; 0.9, 0.7 and 0.7 dB, respectively. The increase on 29 December is the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes of the SPE. The increases on 1, 8 and 28 December are the AA, determined by the increase of the local GA. Progress (32 MHz). A series of absorption increases was registered with the maximums on 2, 4, 9, 13, 21 and 29 December, equal to 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2.0, 0.7 and 0.9 dB, respectively. The increase on 29 December is the PCA, determined by the proton fluxes of the SPE. The other increases are the AA, determined by the increase of the local GA. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). A series of absorption increases was registered with the maximums on 1, 3, 8 and 14 December, equal to 1.1, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.2 dB, respectively. All increases are the AA, determined by the increase of the local GA.

Conclusions

During the period under consideration there were registered five PCA phenomena, determined by the proton fluxes of the SPE and some AA phenomena, determined by the global and local GA. In general, riometers at Vostok, Mirny, Progress and Novolazarevskaya stations operated normally.

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS

MIRNY STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component October 88º18.2´W 13673 nT -57638 nT November 88º19.1´W 13677 nT -57622 nT December 88º13.2´W 13653 nT -57618 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nT Z, nT 03.10.2013 -87.0190 13894 -57623 09.10.2013 -86.5930 13892 -57620 15.10.2013 -86.5850 13890 -57623 21.10.2013 -87.0220 13990 -57621 27.10.2013 -87.0190 13990 -57622 02.11.2013 -87.0190 13898 -57624 08.11.2013 -87.0200 13898 -57621 14.11.2013 -87.0240 13897 -57621 20.11.2013 -87.0250 13897 -57624 26.11.2013 -87.0240 13904 -57620 02.12.2013 -87.0090 13895 -57630 08.12.2013 -87.0010 13894 -57627 14.12.2013 -87.0120 13898 -57616 18.12.2013 -87.0120 13899 -57621 18.12.2013 -87.0160 13901 -57619 18.12.2013 -87.0120 13901 -57619 24.12.2013 -87.0090 13899 -57624 27.12.2013 -87.0250 13900 -57621 27.12.2013 -87.0190 13899 -57621 27.12.2013 -87.0130 13901 -57623 Average -86.9739 13906.85 -57622.00 σ 0.1318 28.63 3.01

Mirny, October 2013

dB 2 max, max, A 1

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

Mirny, November 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, December 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

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

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component October 29º21.0´W 18535 nT -34466 nT November 29º22.6´W 18540 nT -34465 nT December 29º21.8´W 18540 nT -34458 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nT Z, nT 06.10.2013 -29.6878 18547 -34777 12.10.2013 -29.6730 18543 -34779 18.10.2013 -29.6960 18543 -34781 24.10.2013 -29.7013 18544 -34782 31.10.2013 -29.7047 18545 -34781 04.11.2013 -29.7223 18544 -34782 12.11.2013 -29.6910 18554 -34778 17.11.2013 -29.6608 18552 -34780 22.11.2013 -29.6965 18550 -34782 28.11.2013 -29.6997 18545 -34786 05.12.2013 -29.5962 18552 -34793 10.12.2013 -29.6140 18553 -34793 13.12.2013 -29.7053 18554 -34792 13.12.2013 -29.6865 18554 -34792 13.12.2013 -29.6647 18554 -34792 16.12.2013 -29.6645 18555 -34796 22.12.2013 -29.7000 18552 -34795 27.12.2013 -29.7058 18557 -34794 Average -29.6817 18549.89 -34786.39 σ 0.0325 4.78 6.76

Novolazarevskaya, October 2013

, dB 4 max A 2

0 135791113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, November 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

0 135791113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, December 2013

dB 2 max, A 1

0 135791113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.2. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Novolazarevskaya station. 70

PROGRESS STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component October 79º06.2´W 16991 nT -50860 nT November 79º04.9´W 16989 nT -50852 nT December 79º07.2´W 17002 nT -50841 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nT Z, nT 03.10.2013 -78.8661 116.1 -43.7 06.10.2013 -78.8714 115.3 -44.2 11.10.2013 -78.8722 113.1 -44.2 15.10.2013 -78.8569 114.1 -44.2 20.10.2013 -78.8631 114.9 -43.7 23.10.2013 -78.8739 114.8 -43.9 28.10.2013 -78.8739 115.8 -43.5 01.11.2013 -78.8742 114.3 -43.9 07.11.2013 -78.8767 112.6 -44.4 12.11.2013 -78.8611 115.8 -43.4 13.11.2013 -78.8736 114.3 -43.6 17.11.2013 -78.8689 115.5 -43.5 20.11.2013 -78.8578 115.8 -43.7 24.11.2013 -78.8683 116.5 -43.3 30.11.2013 -78.8692 115.7 -42.7 04.12.2013 -78.8778 115.3 -43.9 06.12.2013 -78.8792 117.5 -43.2 11.12.2013 -78.8778 117.9 -42.7 13.12.2013 -78.8797 117.3 -43.0 21.12.2013 -78.8700 116.8 -42.6 22.12.2013 -78.8711 116.5 -42.7 23.12.2013 -78.8744 116.6 -43.1 24.12.2013 -78.8669 116.8 -42.7 Average -78.8706 115.62 -43.46 σ 0.0064 1.35 0.55

Progress, October 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Progress, November 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Progress, December 2013

dB 2 max, A 1

0 135791113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.3. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Progress station. 72

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component October - - - November - - - December - - -

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nT Z, nT Average - - - σ - - -

Vostok, October 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

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

Vostok, November 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

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

Vostok, December 2013

, dB 2 max A 1

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

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

73 7. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2013

22.10.2013 A series of sledge-caterpillar traverses (SCT) from Progress station for resupply of Vostok station began. The SCT consisting of two vehicles and four people departed from Progress station to deliver fuel to the intermediate base at the 550th km.

23. 10 The session of the Roshydromet Board was held in Moscow where the Head of the Russian Antarctic Expedition V.V. Lukin made a report on the results of the 57th wintering and the 58th seasonal RAE expeditions and on the plans for conducting the 59th RAE. The candidates for the Head of the wintering 59th RAE М.S. Bugayev and the Head of the seasonal expedition V.A. Bondarchuk were approved.

29. 10 Operations of the 59th seasonal expedition began. The chartered for intercontinental flights aircraft BT-67 arrived from Canada to the airport of Punta Arenas (Chile). The aircraft was at standby waiting for meteorological conditions to improve to fly via Rothera and Halley stations to Novolazarevskaya station.

30. 10 The seasonal team of the 59th РАЭ (11 people) departed by regular flights from St. Petersburg to Capetown for further travel to Novolazarevskaya station.

30-31.10 Aircraft IL-76TD with 7 people of the personnel of Novolazarevskaya station of the 59th RAE departed Minsk for Capetown to participate in the Antarctic activities.

01.11 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” departed St. Petersburg for the cruise under the program of the 59th RAE. The ship master is I.S. Stetsun and the cruise head is V.A. Bondarchuk. Onboard the ship – 80 participants of the 59th RAE.

04.11 The Korean expedition icebreaker “Araon” with a specialist of the 59th RAE A.D. Masanov onboard, as an ice expert, departed the port of Littleton (New Zealand) for the Antarctic cruise.

06-10.11 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” called the port of Bremerhaven. Two participants of the 59th RAE and one specialist of the Antarctic Program of the Republic of Belarus arrived to onboard the vessel.

12-13.11 The first technical flight of aircraft IL-76TD from Capetown to the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station was made. The first 17 participants of the 59th RAE arrived to the Antarctic. Three participants of the 58th RAE – two patients and the accompanying doctor were delivered to Capetown by the return flight.

14-15.11 The second flight of aircraft IL-76TD to the Antarctic by the route Capetown – Troll – Novolazarevskaya – Capetown was made.

22.11 A sledge-caterpillar traverse (7 transporters and 14 people) departed Progress station for Vostok station for the delivery of diesel fuel and aviation kerosene, necessary for conducting seasonal operations at the station. Head of the traverse is S.N. Momyrev.

22-23.11 The third flight of aircraft IL-76 was made along the route Capetown – Novolazarevskaya – Capetown, by which participants of foreign Antarctic programs arrived to the Antarctic as well as a group of the Prince Henry (Harry) of Wales for the expedition to the South Pole.

24.11 A group of the glacial-drilling team of Vostok station of the 59th RAE headed by Dr. N.I. Vasiliev departed St. Petersburg by the regular flight for Capetown.

29-30.11 The fourth from the beginning of the season flight of IL-76 along the route Capetown – Novolazarevskaya was made, by which 53 people were delivered to the Antarctic including six specialists of the glacial-drilling team.

01-05.12 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” called the port of Capetown. Forty nine participants of the 59th RAE arrived to onboard the ship.

03.12 The first aircraft arrived to Vostok station delivering six participants of the glacial-drilling team 74

and 900 kg of cargos.

04.12 At the time of the transportation traverse from Novolazarevskaya station to the barrier base, the Head of the station had an attack of appendicitis. By means of the vehicle from the aerodrome base the patient was delivered to the medical aid post of the station and was operated.

04.12 Onboard the Korean expedition icebreaker “Araon” in the Ross Sea, there was a touch of the vane with the ship superstructure at the takeoff of helicopter of the K-32 type belonging to Korea. The helicopter has overturned and took fire. There were four people onboard who had time to escape from the helicopter. The helicopter burned out completely. The injured people were delivered by the New Zealand helicopter via the USA McMurdo station to the hospital of New Zealand.

05-07.12 The fifth flight of aircraft IL-76 to Novolazarevskaya station was made. Among the delivered people there are four participants of the seasonal team of Novolazarevskaya station. During the flight the aircraft made a paradrop to the point of 83º S for fuel supply of the expedition to the South Pole headed by the Prince Harry.

07.12 The sledge-caterpillar traverse arrived to Vostok station, delivering 92 m3 of diesel fuel, 120 barrels of aviation kerosene and consumables. On 09.12, the traverse departed back to Progress station.

16.12 The Russian-US group of specialists on microbiology, who worked in the Wohlthat massif in the inland Lakes Untersee and Ober-See returned to Novolazarevskaya station after the seasonal activities.

17. 12 A group headed by Price Harry visited Novolazarevskaya station.

18 12 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” approached the roadstead of Progress station. Decanting of fuel and helicopter operations for organizing seasonal geological-geophysical bases was started.

18.12 The seasonal field base Druzhnaya-4 was reactivated.

19. 12 A seasonal field geological camp on Filla Island in the archipelago of Rauer Group Islands in Prudz Bay was opened.

19. 12 The sledge-caterpillar traverse from Vostok station returned to Progress station.

22. 12 The Vostok station was transferred to the team of the 59th RAE. The station was transferred by the Head of the team of the 58th RAE P.V. Teterev and the station was accepted by the Head of the team of the 59th RAE А.V. Turkeyev.

23 – 29.12 A series of five flights of aircraft BT 67 from Progress station to Vostok station was made. Participants of the 59th RAE, food products and equipment were delivered to the station. Participants of the 58th RAE were transported from the Antarctic.

25. 12 The Progress station was transferred to the team of the 59th RAE. The station was transferred by the Head of the team of the 58th RAE D.G. Serov and the station was accepted by V.M. Vinogradov.

29. 12 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” after finishing work at Progress station headed for Mirny station.