Influence of Atmospheric Circulation on Cloudiness and Cloud Types in Petuniabukta and Svalbard-Lufthavn in Summer 2016

Abstract

The paper analyzes the influence of atmospheric circulation on cloudiness and cloud types during July and August of 2016 in Petuniabukta and Svalbard-Lufthavn. For the meteorological parameters, basic statistical measures were calculated and the average diurnal cloud patterns were analyzed. Taking the data from meteorological reanalysis (NCEP/NCAR-The National Centers for Atmospheric Prediction/The National Center for Atmospheric Research) regarding the mean sea-level pressure (SLP), 500 hPa geopotential height, and air temperature at 850 hPa (T850), composite maps of the synoptic situation for the studied area were constructed. For the observed types of clouds, the frequency of their occurrence in particular types of atmospheric circulation was then determined according to the Niedźwiedź classification. Differences in the amount of cloudiness in the examined measuring points were ascertained. The occurrence of cloud types is associated with both the direction of air mass advection and type of circulation. The results may also indicate the possibility of influence from specific, local environmental features on cloudiness.

Keywords

• atmospheric circulation
• cloud cover
• Petuniabukta
• Spitsbergen
• Svalbard-Lufthavn