A synoptic/statistical analysis of summer season circulation patterns over eastern Antarctica during moist air intrusions.

Abstract

U.S. Navy weather forecasters in Antarctica provide forecast services for aviation and field operations of the U.S. Antarctic Research Programs. Due to very limited conventional data/ meteorological satellite imagery becomes a primary resource for circulation diagnosis. However, qualitative interpretation techniques, as used in Antarctica, fail to provide definitive information on the intensity of synoptic features. A compositing technique was used in the study to identify a 400 mb geopotential height anomally pattern common to a satellite-observed cloud signature indicating moist air intrusions onto the continent. Two test cases, one dependent and one independent, are explored to determine the usefulness of the height anomaly pattern as an operational analysis aid over the data sparse regions of eastern Antarctica. Finally, the model 400 mb analysis is compared qualitatively to the National Meteorological Center and Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center 500 mb analyses for the same times. The model developed in the study shows some promise of improving the operational Naval Support Force Antarctica circulation analyses in data poor areas.