Antarctica is the coldest place on earth, the lowest temperature ever recorded on earth at −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F) was recorded here at Vostock Station. It is also extremely dry, with an average of only 166 mm of precipitation per year.The highest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica was 14.6°C (58.3°F) at hope bay, on January 5 1974. This gives a good indication of the severity of the weather in Antarctica.
Storm Classification.
Category 3: Good visibility, clear skies and no wind.
Category 2: Poor visibility, cloudy, significant wind, limited travel out of base.
Category 1: Zero visibility, poor conditions, strong winds, and no travel is allowed.
Katabatic Winds.
katabatic winds are caused by high density air from a higher elevation rushing down a slope under the force of gravity. Such winds are sometimes also called fall winds.
A katabatic wind originates from the cooling of air on a plateau, mountain or glacier. The density of air increases the colder it gets and so air will flow downwards, warming as it descends, thus creating the wind. The temperature of the wind depends on the temperature in the surrounding area and the distance descended.
Katabatic winds are most commonly found blowing out from the large and elevated ice sheets of Antarctica.The concentration of cold air over the ice sheets and their elevation creates a large amount of gravitational energy. This can propel the winds to hurricane force.
A katabatic wind originates from the cooling of air on a plateau, mountain or glacier. The density of air increases the colder it gets and so air will flow downwards, warming as it descends, thus creating the wind. The temperature of the wind depends on the temperature in the surrounding area and the distance descended.
Katabatic winds are most commonly found blowing out from the large and elevated ice sheets of Antarctica.The concentration of cold air over the ice sheets and their elevation creates a large amount of gravitational energy. This can propel the winds to hurricane force.
This blog describes what it's like to spend time in Antarctica conserving artefacts from the explorer's hut left behind by Ernest Shackleton in 1908.
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1 comment:
May I use one of your photos for an ebook cover for a novel I just finished writing? Paul Cummins
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