Variability of summer meteorological and biometeorological conditions in the Ebba Valley region (Central Spitsbergen)

Abstract

Variability of summer meteorological and biometeorological conditions on the topoclimatic scale in the 2008–2010 summer season in the Ebba Valley region (Central Spitsbergen) was investigated. Three measurement sites, representing different altitudes and topography, as well as different types of active surfaces typical of Spitsbergen, were chosen, where automatic, hourly recorded, measurements were taken. The mean diurnal course of the basic meteorological and biometeorological parameters (i.e. air surface temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction, global solar radiation, wind chill temperature, cooling power, etc.), was computed for each of the three sites, which demonstrated spatial and temporal variability of biometeorological and weather conditions. Furthermore, four relevant weather types which may appear in the summer in different environments represented by the three measurement sites were distinguished. They can be defined as follows: type 1 – cold and windy weather, type 2 – cold and wet weather, type 3 – sunny weather (moderately windy and relatively warm), type 4 – warm and cloudy weather. The characteristics and occurrence of each of these types were described.