Meteorological observations at Syowa Station, Antarctica, 2010 by the 51st Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition

Abstract

This report presents meteorological observations obtained by the Meteorological Observation Team of the 51st Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-51) at Syowa Station, Antarctica during February 2010-January 2011. The observation methods, instruments and statistical methods used by JARE-51 were similar to those used by JARE-50, except that the sensor for the ozone sonde observations was changed from KC-type ozone sensor to an ECC-type ozone sensor in April 2010, and the instruments used for surface ozone concentration monitoring were replaced in January 2010. Notable observations recorded by JARE-51 include the following: 1) The monthly sunshine duration in January 2011 was only 159.9 hours, a record low for this month. 2) On 5 September 2010, the daily high temperature was －1.1℃, a record high for the month of September. 3) Tropospheric temperatures during May and June over Syowa Station were lower than normal, and temperatures in the lower stratosphere during August-January were lower than normal. 4) Total ozone over Syowa Station was ＜220 m atm-cm between the mid September and the beginning December. The minimum value in 2010 was 145 m atm-cm. The maximum area of the ozone hole was the third smallest since 1990, and the maximum ozone deficit was the fourth smallest since 1990.