Topoclimatic conditions in the Hornsund area [SW Spitsbergen] during the ablation season 2005

Abstract

The Hornsund region is characterised by a topoclimatic variation, which results principally from the local orography, the vicinity of open sea and the two contrasting envi− ronments: non−glaciated and glaciated. The specific types of atmospheric circulation deter− mine the local thermal differences. The west coast is characterised by the most favourable thermal conditions, where air temperature is largely determined by foehn processes. The temperature at the Baranowski Station is 0.8 C higher on average than that of the Polish Po− lar Station on the northern shore of Hornsund. The temperature in the northern shore of the fjord happens to be higher than that on the west coast, which is attributed to the NW cy− clonic inflow of cool Arctic air masses. During intermediate weather, when ground frost− thaw takes place, the northern shore of Hornsund is warmer by 0.5 C; whereas, during mod− erately frosty weather, it is warmer by 0.2 C than the west coast. The differences result from the effect of the warmer fjord waters on the surrounding air temperature. During moderately warm weather, more favourable conditions occur near the Baranowski Station, expressed by the mean temperature difference of 0.9 C. The greatest temperature difference of 1.5 C on average is normally recorded during warm weather.