Meteorological observations at Syowa Station in 1988 by the 29th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition

Abstract

This paper describes the results of meteorological observations (mainly surface and upper-air) at Syowa Station from February 1,1988 to January 31,1989 and ozone observations on board the icebreaker SHIRASE during the period from November 1987 to December 1987. Methods and equipment for observations were the same as JARE-28. Surface and upper-air data were sent to World Meteorological Center at Melbourne via Mawson Station according to the WMO regulations. Remarkable chracteristics are as follows : 1) A large-scale stratospheric sudden warming and an abrupt increase of total column ozone took place during the period from the end of August to early September. It was experienced for the first time that such a large sudden warming occurred in August. 2) The frequency of blizzards that hit our station was the minimum since 1960. 3) On March 21,the cyclone passing over the sea north of Syowa Station became strong abruptly and strong wind blew. Maximum instantaneous wind speed was 49.9m/s, which was the maximum record in March. 4) Monthly mean sea level pressure of June was 1001.5mb, which was the maximum record in June and the second highest for the total period of observation.