Long Term Observations Surface Meteorology
in the Arctic (AWIPEV Research Base in Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen)
Ny-Ålesund is located on a fjord at the west coast of Svalbard (Spitsbergen). In this region, ocean currents from lower latitudes impact the sea water temperature, and the ocean is a heat storage affecting the local climate. Although Ny-Ålesund is situated in the high Arctic (78.9°N, 11.9°E), daily mean temperature in summer is above the freezing point. The interannual temperature variability in winter is large, but temperature rarely drops below -25°C.
Climate Change
Since the beginning of our meteorological measurements in 1993, climate in Ny-Ålesund has changed. The annual mean temperature has risen by 1.2° C per decade, while the strongest warming is observed during the winter season.
The 'Arctic Amplification' of global warming is analysed under various aspects by measurements and model simulations.
Publication
The surface meteorological measurements and according climatological aspects are discussed in:
M. Maturilli, A. Herber, and G. König-Langlo: Climatology and Time Series of Surface Meteorology in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard.
Data
Surface meteorology data since 1 August 1993 are archived in the Pangaea Database. The data are freely available after registering, using search term "Continuous meteorological observations at station Ny-Ålesund ”. Please acknowledge accordingly.