Call number:
AWI A4-97-0466
In:
Cambridge atmospheric and space science series
Description / Table of Contents:
This book presents a comprehensive survey of the climatology and meteorology of Antarctica. As well as describing the climate which prevails in the Antarctic, the book also considers the processes by which this climate is maintained and explores links between the Antarctic and the global climate system. The first section of the book reviews the methods by which we can observe the Antarctic atmosphere and presents a synthesis of climatological measurements. In the second section, the processes whcih maintain the observed climate are considered, starting with large-scale weather systems to mesoscale and small-scale processes. The final section reviews our current knowledge of the variability of the Antarctic climate and considers changes that may occur in Antarctica as a result of 'greenhouse' warming. Throughout the book, the links between the Antarctic atmosphere and other elements of the Antarctic climate system (oceans, sea ice and ice sheets) are stressed and the processes which couple the Antarctic with the global climate system are examined. The instruments and platforms used in Antarctic climate studies are discussed (including automatic stations and international data centres), with special emphasis on the role of remote sensing from satellites and numerical modelling techniques. This volume will be of greatest interest to meteorologists and climatologists with a specialised interest in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, but it will also appeal to researchers in Antarctic glaciology, oceanography and biology. Graduates and undergraduates studying physical geography or the earth, atmospheric and environmental sciences will find much useful background material in the book.
Type of Medium:
Monograph non-lending collection
Pages:
XI, 409 Seiten
,
Illustrationen
Edition:
First published
ISBN:
0521465605
,
0-521-46560-5
Series Statement:
Cambridge atmospheric and space science series
Language:
English
Note:
Contents:
Preface. -
1 Introduction. -
1.1 Physical characteristics of the Antarctic. -
1.2 A brief history of Antarctic meteorology. -
1.3 The role of the Antarctic atmosphere in the global climate system. -
2 Observations and instrumentation. -
2.1 Observing in the Antarctic. -
2.2 Instruments for meteorological measurements. -
2.3 Automatic weather stations. -
2.4 Drifting buoys. -
2.5 Surface-based remote sensing. -
2.6 Satellites, space-based observing systems and ground stations. -
2.7 The station network and communications. -
2.8 Data sets and data centres. -
3 Physical climatology. -
3.1 Radiation. -
3.2 Temperature and humidity. -
3.3 Pressure, geopotential and wind. -
3.4 Clouds and precipitation. -
3.5 Sea ice and the Southern Ocean environment. -
4 The large-scale circulation of the Antarctic atmosphere. -
4.1 Introduction. -
4.2 The heat budget. -
4.3 Atmospheric circulation and the vorticity budget. -
4.4 The water vapour budget. -
4.5 Representation of the Antarctic atmosphere in general circulation models. -
5 Synoptic-scale weather systems and fronts. -
5.1 Introduction. -
5.2 The role of depressions. -
5.3 Depressions in the Antarctic and over the Southern Ocean. -
5.4 Climatology. -
5.5 Preparation of operational analyses and forecasts. -
5.6 Future research needs. -
6 Mesoscale systems and processes. -
6.1 Local wind systems. -
6.2 Internal gravity waves. -
6.3 The atmospheric boundary layer. -
6.4 Blowing snow. -
6.5 Mesocyclones. -
7 Climate variability and change. -
7.1 Variations in the historical climate record. -
7.2 Interactions with the tropical and mid-latitude circulation. -
7.3 Future climate predictions - Antarctica in a 'greenhouse' climate. -
Appendix A: A chronological list of stations that have made multi-year meteorological observations in the Antarctic and on the sub-Antarctic islands. -
Appendix B: A chronological list of automatic weather stations that have been deployed in the Antarctic and on the sub-Antarctic Islands. -
References. -
Index.
Location:
AWI Reading room
Branch Library:
AWI Library
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