Exploring the signature of polar lows in infrasound: the 19–20 November 2008 cases

Abstract

We report in this study the infrasound signal measured consistently at four stations in Fennoscandia, associated with the development of two intense cyclones, called polar lows, over the Norwegian Sea. When conditions of propagation are favourable, the infrasound signal comes from the direction of the polar lows, and it follows their track. The results thus, tend to confirm those of a previous study who claimed that an outbreak of three polar lows generated clear infrasound to distances up to 1000 km, according to measurements acquired in Northern Norway and on Svalbard. Because the conditions of propagation of infrasound depend on the state of the atmosphere between the sources and the receivers, signals may remain undetected, which limits the capability of a systematic early warning system, and also of a global monitoring of polar lows. However, the recorded signals might reflect on-going source processes, since convection associated with the polar lows is detected using microwave satellite observations in the areas from which the signals emanate. This suggests that at least part of the signal is due to turbulence induced by convection, in agreement with the earlier study. Nevertheless, more evidence of broadband infrasound measurements of polar low cases have to be examined in order to be able to fully assess the role of other possible sources (swell, surf, lightnings, …). The addition in Northern Norway in late 2013 of the IS37 infrasound station of the International Monitoring Network, developed for the verification of the Comprehensive nuclear-Test-ban Treaty, will provide new opportunities to further investigate this issue.

Keywords

• polar lows
• infrasound
• convection