Boundary layer flow characteristics at the Georg von Neumayer Antarctic Station in summer 1983

Abstract

Based on climatological information over a long period, two case studies of typical flow situations near the Georg von Neumayer station (70°37′S, 8°22′W) are presented. A shallow katabatic layer develops under a small pressure gradient and considerable cooling of the surface layer. In situations with large horizontal pressure gradients, which are more frequent in winter than in summer, the flow is affected by the sloping terrain that leads to the Antarctic plateau. In this case, a marked difference between the temperatures of the air just above the ice shelf and the warmer air from the ocean can be observed within the lowest 45 m.