A 2023 study documented unprecedented cooling in Antarctica, which stands in stark contrast to global warming records and highlights the complexity of climate models. The year 2023 saw record global temperatures, but also witnessed unusually extreme cold in Antarctica. A recently published study Developments in Atmospheric Sciences, It draws attention to the intense cold periods that occur on the continent in late July and August.
In a detailed study of the late winter months of 2023, researchers observed extremely cold temperatures over a large region of Antarctica.
“Record cold temperatures were observed across our network of automated weather stations (AWS) and elsewhere in the region,” said Matthew A. Lazzara of the Antarctic Meteorological Research and Data Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison). “These phases were marked by new record low temperatures recorded at both manned and automated weather stations spanning East Antarctica, the Ross Ice Shelf, and West Antarctica to the Antarctic Peninsula.”
“The highest point, Kunlun Station, recorded the lowest temperature ever recorded at 79.4°C, about 5°C below the monthly average temperature,” said Professor Minghu Ding from the Key Laboratory of Severe Weather at the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences. “It is also interesting that record high temperatures were also observed in South America, which is relatively close to Antarctica.”
Temperatures in Chile rose to 40°C (104°F), with Rio de Janeiro breaking a 117-year-old temperature record.
Analysis of cold phases
So what did the researchers find? Is Antarctica sending mixed climate messages? The study identified four distinct cold phases from mid-July to the end of August 2023.
Analysis of 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies revealed strong negative anomalies in August 2023. This atmospheric environment in the middle troposphere played a significant role in the observed extremely cold temperatures. Studies show that both southward currents from the continent and calm atmospheric conditions contributed to these cooling events.
Main flights to key research stations were severely disrupted as temperatures dropped below -50°C, creating the danger of hydraulic failure and fuel gelation in the aircraft, making safe flights impossible.
“This extreme cold was unprecedented and had a significant impact on the study,” said David E. Mikolajczyk, one of the authors of the study. “Understanding these conditions helps us better prepare for future challenges in Antarctic logistics.”
This research, conducted by an international team of scientists, highlights the importance of understanding the atmospheric environment that leads to extremely low temperatures. Their findings are vital to improving the safety and efficiency of Antarctic operations.
AWS observations from the UW Madison Antarctic Meteorological Research and Data Center (AMRDC) AWS Program and the State Key Severe Weather Laboratory AWS Program were used primarily for event analysis.
Source: Port Altele
