scholarly journals Adverse-Weather Trends in the Canadian Arctic

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 3140-3156 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Hanesiak ◽  
Xiaolan L. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Blowing Snow ◽  
Homogenization Procedure ◽  
Almost Everywhere ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Weather Observations ◽  
Adverse Weather

Abstract This study provides an assessment of changes in the occurrence frequency of four types of adverse-weather (freezing precipitation, blowing snow, fog, and low ceilings) and no-weather (i.e., no precipitation or visibility obscuration) events as observed at 15 Canadian Arctic stations of good hourly weather observations for 1953–2004. The frequency time series were subjected to a homogenization procedure prior to a logistic regression–based trend analysis. The results show that the frequency of freezing precipitation has increased almost everywhere across the Canadian Arctic since 1953. Rising air temperature in the region has probably resulted in more times that the temperature is suitable for freezing precipitation. On the contrary, the frequency of blowing snow occurrence has decreased significantly in the Canadian Arctic. The decline is most significant in spring. Changes in fog and low ceiling (LC) occurrences have similar patterns and are most (least) significant in summer (autumn). Decreases were identified for both types of events in the eastern region in all seasons. In the southwest, however, the fog frequency has increased significantly in all seasons, while the LC frequency has decreased significantly in spring and summer. The regional mean rate of change in the frequency of the four types of adverse weather was estimated to be 7%–13% per decade. The frequency of no-weather events has also decreased significantly at most of the 15 sites. The decrease is most significant and extensive in autumn. Comparison with the adverse-weather trends above indicates that the decline in no-weather occurrence (i.e., increase in weather occurrence) is not the result of an increase in blowing snow or fog occurrence; it is largely the result of the increasing frequency of freezing precipitation and, most likely, other types of precipitation as well. This is consistent with the reported increases in precipitation amount and more frequent cyclone activity in the lower Canadian Arctic.

How to Evaluate Remote Tower Metrics in Connection With Weather Observations

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maik Friedrich ◽  
Christoph Möhlenbrink
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Weather Event ◽  
Evaluation Of Performance ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Weather Observations ◽  
Validation Experiment ◽  
Remote Controller

Abstract. Owing to the different approaches for remote tower operation, a standardized set of indicators is needed to evaluate the technical implementations at a task performance level. One of the most influential factors for air traffic control is weather. This article describes the influence of weather metrics on remote tower operations and how to validate them against each other. Weather metrics are essential to the evaluation of different remote controller working positions. Therefore, weather metrics were identified as part of a validation at the Erfurt-Weimar Airport. Air traffic control officers observed weather events at the tower control working position and the remote control working position. The eight participating air traffic control officers answered time-synchronized questionnaires at both workplaces. The questionnaires addressed operationally relevant weather events in the aerodrome. The validation experiment targeted the air traffic control officer’s ability to categorize and judge the same weather event at different workplaces. The results show the potential of standardized indicators for the evaluation of performance and the importance of weather metrics in relation to other evaluation metrics.

scholarly journals Weather forecast in north-western Greece: RISKMED warnings and verification of MM5 model

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bartzokas ◽  
V. Kotroni ◽  
K. Lagouvardos ◽  
C. J. Lolis ◽  
A. Gkikas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Meteorological Model ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
North Western ◽  
Western Greece

Abstract. The meteorological model MM5 is applied operationally for the area of north-western Greece for one-year period (1 June 2007–31 May 2008). The model output is used for daily weather forecasting over the area. An early warning system is developed, by dividing the study area in 16 sub-regions and defining specific thresholds for issuing alerts for adverse weather phenomena. The verification of the model is carried out by comparing the model results with observations from three automatic meteorological stations. For air temperature and wind speed, correlation coefficients and biases are calculated, revealing that there is a significant overestimation of the early morning air temperature. For precipitation amount, yes/no contingency tables are constructed for 4 specific thresholds and some categorical statistics are applied, showing that the prediction of precipitation in the area under study is generally satisfactory. Finally, the thunderstorm warnings issued by the system are verified against the observed lightning activity.

Investigating Safety Effectiveness of Wyoming Snow Fence Installations Along a Rural Mountainous Freeway

2017 ◽  
Vol 2613 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Peel ◽  
Mohamed Ahmed ◽  
Noriaki Ohara
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Bayes ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Control Surface ◽  
Blowing Snow ◽  
Snow Fence ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Safety Effectiveness ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Snow Fences

Drifting and blowing snow is a problematic and dangerous aspect of Interstate travel in the state of Wyoming. The control of snow and the maintenance of roadways is an essential and significant task for many state and local agencies. Many significant factors—such as vehicle control, surface conditions, and visibility—can be affected by hazardous winter weather. In areas such as the inspected 19-mi section of Interstate 80, snow fences have become a common and practical method of mitigating the problems caused by large quantities of snow near or on the traveled way. Wyoming deals with a high rate of adverse weather–related crashes during the winter season. Naive before–after analyses of snow fence installations have historically indicated a slight decrease in such crashes. In this study, the safety effectiveness of snow fence installations was investigated; more rigorous quantitative-based approaches were used and included a before–after analysis with empirical Bayes—in which Wyoming-specific safety performance functions were used—and odds ratio analyses. Crash modification factors were estimated for various crash types and severity levels. The results from this study indicate that the installation of snow fences contributes to a significant increase in the safety effectiveness of Interstate use during the winter. Specifically, it was found that during adverse weather conditions, snow fences decreased total crashes and fatal and injury crashes by about 25% and 62%, respectively.

SEISMIC EXPLORATION IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC ISLANDS

Geophysics ◽  
1962 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
George D. Hobson
Keyword(s):  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Reflection And Refraction ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Sverdrup Basin ◽  
June July

The Polar Continental Shelf Project, a broad program of research in the Canadian Arctic, was started in 1959. Seismic studies were undertaken by the Geological Survey of Canada. Refraction and reflection techniques were employed in the first stages of a reconnaissance program during May, June, July, and August 1960. Certain new techniques were developed during this seismic program in the high Arctic. The crew operated from motor toboggans in 1960 but helicopters will be used more extensively in the future for a more efficient operation. Adverse weather conditions such as blizzards, low temperatures, white‐outs, wind, and rain are a hindrance to operations at various times of the year. The sea ice appears to present no great noise problem to standard recording techniques. Several air shots were recorded in direct comparison with surface shots but the gain in energy level is not enough to justify using the method. The records from various locations within the Sverdrup Basin indicate that both reflection and refraction techniques are satisfactory. A cross‐section illustrates the results of the 1960 program.

Teaching in Stormy Weather

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-517
Author(s):  
Shawna Ross
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Event Attribution ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Stormy Weather

This article considers the pedagogical implications of climate change and other environmental catastrophes of the Anthropocene, the new geological epoch identified by climate scientists. In the Anthropocene, the human species has become the most significant force shaping Earth’s geosphere and is responsible for a number of anxiety-producing effects beyond the rise of global temperatures. As erratic weather patterns and extreme weather events have increased, climatologists have been perfecting new methods of single-event attribution capable of linking particular adverse weather events (including droughts, heat waves, flooding tornadoes, and hurricanes) directly to climate change. To provide a concrete example of those universal trends, the author applies her experiences in teaching in Texas, which is strongly marked by long-term forces of anthropogenic environmental devastation (such as the northward migration of the oak trees and alterations in the lithosphere caused by oil extraction). It has also been impacted by hurricanes, floods, and freezes that delayed the onset of the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters and, in many cases, damaged or destroyed her students’ homes at Texas A&M. The article recounts the strategies that her learning community used to adjust to these exigencies and then offers suggestions for adapting these strategies to other locales.

scholarly journals Adaptation options for wheat in Europe will be limited by increased adverse weather events under climate change

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (112) ◽  
pp. 20150721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav Trnka ◽  
Petr Hlavinka ◽  
Mikhail A. Semenov
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Price Volatility ◽  
Cereal Crop ◽  
Wheat Production ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Expected Increase ◽  
Adaptation Options

Ways of increasing the production of wheat, the most widely grown cereal crop, will need to be found to meet the increasing demand caused by human population growth in the coming decades. This increase must occur despite the decrease in yield gains now being reported in some regions, increased price volatility and the expected increase in the frequency of adverse weather events that can reduce yields. However, if and how the frequency of adverse weather events will change over Europe, the most important wheat-growing area, has not yet been analysed. Here, we show that the accumulated probability of 11 adverse weather events with the potential to significantly reduce yield will increase markedly across all of Europe. We found that by the end of the century, the exposure of the key European wheat-growing areas, where most wheat production is currently concentrated, may increase more than twofold. However, if we consider the entire arable land area of Europe, a greater than threefold increase in risk was predicted. Therefore, shifting wheat production to new producing regions to reduce the risk might not be possible as the risk of adverse events beyond the key wheat-growing areas increases even more. Furthermore, we found a marked increase in wheat exposure to high temperatures, severe droughts and field inaccessibility compared with other types of adverse events. Our results also showed the limitations of some of the presently debated adaptation options and demonstrated the need for development of region-specific strategies. Other regions of the world could be affected by adverse weather events in the future in a way different from that considered here for Europe. This observation emphasizes the importance of conducting similar analyses for other major wheat regions.

scholarly journals Springtime CO2 exchange over seasonal sea ice in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (57) ◽  
pp. 215-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Papakyriakou ◽  
Lisa Miller
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Canadian Arctic Archipelago ◽  
Blowing Snow ◽  
Net Radiation ◽  
Carbonate System ◽  
Wind Speeds

AbstractSpringtime measurements of CO2 exchange over seasonal sea ice in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago using eddy covariance show that CO2 was generally released to the atmosphere during the cold (ice surface temperatures less than about –6˚C) early part of the season, but was absorbed from the atmosphere as warming advanced. Hourly maximum efflux and uptake rates approached 1.0 and –3.0 μmol m–2 s–1, respectively. These CO2 flux rates are far greater than previously reported over sea ice and are comparable in magnitude to exchanges observed within other systems (terrestrial and marine). Uptake generally occurred for wind speeds in excess of 6 m s–1 and corresponded to local maxima in temperature at the snow–ice interface and net radiation. Efflux, on the other hand, occurred under weaker wind speeds and periods of local minima in temperature and net radiation. the wind speeds associated with uptake are above a critical threshold for drifting and blowing snow, suggesting that ventilation of the snowpack and turbulent exchange with the brine-wetted grains are an important part of the process. Both the uptake and release fluxes may be at least partially driven by the temperature sensitivity of the carbonate system speciation in the brine-wetted snow base and upper sea ice. the period of maximum springtime CO2 uptake occurred as the sea-ice permeability increased, passing a critical threshold allowing vertical brine movement throughout the sea-ice sheet. At this point, atmospheric CO2 would have been available to the under-ice sea-water carbonate system, with ramifications for carbon cycling in sea-ice-dominated polar waters.

scholarly journals Development of Mental Health Classification Related to Severe Weather Events

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvin F. Chu ◽  
Stella Tsai ◽  
Teresa Hamby ◽  
Elizabeth Kostial ◽  
Jerald Fagliano
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Severe Weather ◽  
Monitoring Systems ◽  
The Public ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Health Monitoring Systems

Real-time emergency department (ED) data are currently received from 78 of 80 New Jersey acute care and satellite EDs by Health Monitoring Systems Inc. (HMS) EpiCenter system. After the 2012 Superstorm Sandy, NJDOH initiated a plan to develop severe weather surveillance using ED data to track both health and mental health outcomes during adverse weather conditions to alert the public about emerging health hazards. Data from 68 out of a total of 80 emergency departments with dates from October 28, 2012 to November 17, 2012 were used in this analysis. Validation results for classifications were reviewed and issues are addressed.

scholarly journals Perception and Comprehension of the Extended Forecast Graphic: A Survey of Broadcast Meteorologists and the Public

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. E221-E236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob R. Reed ◽  
Jason C. Senkbeil
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
General Public ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
The Public ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
High And Low Temperatures ◽  
Probability Of Precipitation

Abstract There have been multiple efforts in recent years to simplify visual weather forecast products, with the goal of more efficient risk communication for the general public. Many meteorological forecast products, such as the cone of uncertainty, storm surge graphics, warning polygons, and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) convective outlooks, have created varying levels of public confusion resulting in revisions, modifications, and improvements. However, the perception and comprehension of private weather graphics produced by television stations has been largely overlooked in peer-reviewed research. The goal of this study is to explore how the extended forecast graphic, more commonly known as the 7, 10 day, etc., is utilized by broadcasters and understood by the public. Data were gathered from surveys with the general public and also from broadcast meteorologists. Results suggest this graphic is a source of confusion and highlights a disconnect between the meteorologists producing the graphic and the content prioritized by their audiences. Specifically, timing and intensity of any precipitation or adverse weather events are the two most important variables to consider from the viewpoint of the public. These variables are generally absent from the extended forecast graphic, thus forcing the public to draw their own conclusions, which may differ from what the meteorologist intends to convey. Other results suggest the placement of forecast high and low temperatures, use of probability of precipitation, icon inconsistency, and length of time the graphic is shown also contribute to public confusion and misunderstanding.

scholarly journals Incremental, transitional and transformational adaptation to climate change in resource extraction regions

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Loginova ◽  
Simon P.J. Batterbury
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Balance Of Power ◽  
Profit Sharing ◽  
Resource Extraction ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Inclusive Governance ◽  
Mining Regions

Non-technical summary Mining regions are affected by climate change. Supplies of energy and water are required, and operations become hazardous during adverse weather events. Adapting to climate change takes three forms: incrementally improving the resilience of mining operations; transitioning to more inclusive governance through institutional and policy innovations; and more profound transformations that shift the balance of power, including profit-sharing, localized control or cessation of mining entirely. Clarifying adaptation pathways helps to identify priorities and inform policies for a fairer and more sustainable future for mining and the regions where it takes place.

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