A 2023 study highlighted unexpected extreme cold events in Antarctica during a year of global heat records, emphasizing the need to understand such atmospheric anomalies for improved operational safety in the region. Credit: SciTechDaily.com
A 2023 study documented unprecedented cold spells in Antarctica, which stands in stark contrast to global heat records and underlines the complexity of climate patterns.
2023 was marked by record-breaking global temperatures, but also witnessed unusual extreme cold events in Antarctica. A recent study published in Advances in atmospheric sciences highlights the intense cold spells that occurred on the continent during the late winter months of July and August.
In a detailed study of the late winter months of 2023, researchers observed extremely cold temperatures across a wide area of Antarctica.
“Record-cold temperatures were observed at our Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) network and other locations 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 characterized by new record low temperatures recorded at both manned and automatic weather stations across East Antarctica, the Ross Ice Shelf, and West Antarctica, extending to the Antarctic Peninsula.”
The U.S. Antarctic Program’s fuel storage facility in the middle of the Ross Ice Shelf, located on the South Pole Traverse Road that connects McMurdo Station to South Pole Station. Credit: Photo taken Dec. 19, 2023 by David Mikolajczyk
“The highest point, Kunlun Station, recorded the lowest temperature ever recorded: -79.4°C, which was about 5°C lower than the monthly average,” said Prof. Minghu Ding of the State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Meteorological Sciences. “Interestingly, record-breaking high temperatures occurred at the same time in South America, which is relatively close to Antarctica.”
In Chile, temperatures rose to nearly 40°C (104°F), while Rio de Janeiro broke a 117-year-old heat record.
Analyze cold phases
What did the researchers discover? Is Antarctica sending mixed climate signals?
The study identified four distinct cold phases from mid-July to late August 2023.
An analysis of 500-hPa geopotential height anomalies revealed strong negative anomalies in August 2023. This mid-tropospheric atmospheric environment played a crucial role in the observed extremely cold temperatures. The research suggests that both southerly flows from the continent and calm atmospheric conditions contributed to these cold periods.
With temperatures dropping below -50°C, essential flight operations to key research stations were severely disrupted. These temperatures created a risk of hydraulic failures and fuel solidification in aircraft, making safe flights impossible.
“These extreme cold events were unprecedented and had significant operational implications,” said David E. Mikolajczyk, corresponding author of the study. “Understanding these conditions helps us better prepare for future challenges in Antarctic logistics.”
This study, conducted by a team of international scientists, underscores the importance of understanding atmospheric environments that lead to extremely cold temperatures. Their findings are critical 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 Laboratory of Severe Weather AWS program were used primarily for event analysis.
Reference: “Extreme Antarctic cold of late winter 2023” by Anastasia J. Tomanek, David E. Mikolajczyk, Matthew A. Lazzara, Stefano Di Battista, Minghu Ding, Mariana Fontolan Litell, David H. Bromwich, Taylor P. Norton, Linda M. Keller and Lee J. Welhouse, June 13, 2024, Advances in atmospheric sciences.
DOI file: 10.1007/s00376-024-4139-1