Unmanned aircraft system measurements of the atmospheric boundary layer over Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica

S L Knuth,N J Logan,J J Cassano,P A Kernebone,P D Herrmann,R I Crocker,J A Maslanik

doi:10.5194/essd-5-57-2013

Abstract

Abstract. In September 2009, a series of long-range unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flights collected basic atmospheric data over the Terra Nova Bay polynya in Antarctica. Air temperature, wind, pressure, relative humidity, radiation, skin temperature, GPS, and operational aircraft data were collected and quality controlled for scientific use. The data have been submitted to the United States Antarctic Program Data Coordination Center (USAP-DCC) for free access (doi:10.1594/USAP/0739464).

Highlights

Within the Terra Nova Bay (TNB) region of Antarctica, strong air–sea interactions occur during the winter months due to the presence of a persistent latent heat polynya generated largely due to strong downslope winds originating from the interior of the continent (Kurtz and Bromwich, 1983; Ciappa et al, 2012)
Ice conditions within TNB can vary greatly depending the strength of the prevailing winds, where calm winds can result in pack ice being present up to the coastal edge
6 Summary In September 2009, a series of long-range unmanned aircraft system flights were made to Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, to study the downstream evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer over a latent heat polynya during winter conditions

Summary

Introduction

Within the Terra Nova Bay (TNB) region of Antarctica, strong air–sea interactions occur during the winter months due to the presence of a persistent latent heat polynya generated largely due to strong downslope winds originating from the interior of the continent (Kurtz and Bromwich, 1983; Ciappa et al, 2012). These air–sea interactions are strongest during the winter months as the downslope and katabatic winds bring cold, dry air in contact with the relatively warmer and moister air overlying the polynya. A description of the UAS and flights, the quality control process, and the publically available dataset is provided below

UAS description and flights

Data description

Quality control

Telemetered data

Summary