Meteorological observations at Syowa Station in 2017 by the 58th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition

Abstract

This report describes the results of meteorological observations at Syowa Station from February 1st, 2017 to January 31st, 2018, carried out by the Meteorological Observation Team of the 58th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-58). The observation methods, instruments, and statistical methods used by JARE-58 were almost the same as those used by the JARE-57 observation team. Remarkable weather phenomena observed during the period of JARE-58 are as follows. 1) The average temperature of the month fell below normal in June and August, but the other months were either the same as normal or higher than normal. 2) The rain was observed for the first time in five years, under the influence of a cyclone passing through the sea north of Syowa Station from December 23 to 25. 3) The area of the Antarctic ozone hole in 2017 was smaller than the average for the past ten years since mid-August. In mid and late September, it remained smaller than the minimum for the past ten years. The largest area was the smallest in the past 29 years.

Keywords

• meteorology
• wintering
• syowa station