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Recommendations from SSG on Physical Sciences

New External Recommendations 2006:

  1. Concerning Upper Air Meteorological Data from the Antarctic Peninsula (replaces XXVIII-18)

    • Recognizing the importance of upper air observations for operational numerical weather prediction in the Antarctic Peninsula, a region of marked climatic change over recent decades, SCAR urges National Operators of Antarctic Programmes based in the Antarctic Peninsula to re-activate routine radiosonde measurements, especially from the tip of the peninsula.

  2. Concerning Upper Air and Ionospheric Observations Along the Antarctic Peninsula

    • Recognising that the Antarctic Peninsula is a unique topographic feature that may significantly interact with the tropospheric flow and thus may be a source of atmospheric gravity waves, which can propagate to ionospheric heights, SCAR urges (i) countries making upper air and ionospheric observations along the Antarctic Peninsula to continue to do so regularly at least till the end of the IPY, and preferably beyond, and (ii) countries not making such measurements either to do so or to consider providing some financial support to those which do so.

  3. Concerning monitoring of solar-terrestrial parameters during the IPY

    • In view of IPY, there is concern regarding planned closures and/or delays in the commissioning of instruments that will provide irreplaceable data during the IPY timeframe. Examples are: the Antarctic SuperDARN radars, VLF receivers, magnetometers, and ionosondes. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) recommends support by national funding agencies for continued operation during, and advanced commissioning of new instrumentation to be ready for the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008.

  4. Concerning Sea ice observations

    • The Antarctic Sea Ice and Climate Program has developped a protocol for making standardised and quantified observations of sea ice properties from vessels operating in the Antarctic pack ice zone. The ASPECT data archive now comprises 83 voyages of data that provide an extremely valuable resource to the climate and modelling communities. The SSG/PS recommends that COMNAP urges national programmes to contribute sea ice observations made from their icebreaking reserach and supply vessels. This may include training of ship officers to conduct observations.

  5. Concerning Drifting buoys

    • As part of the plan for increased observations in the sea ice zone for IPY, SCAR encourages delegates to commit financing for one or more data buoys to be deployed by the logistic resources which is being coordinated by the International Programme for Antarctic Buoys.

  6. Concerning Meteorological observations for weather forecasting and the IPY

    • Real-time surface meteorological observations from both land and sea remain critical in providing accurate weather forecasts. Such observations are also vital for many science programmes and are the key data for studies of climate change. SCAR recommends that:
      • All research and supply ships operating in Antarctic waters and traverse parties (using the MOBIL code) should contribute real-time meteorological observations to the WMO GTS
      • Climatic data from land stations should be submitted to GCOS via the WMO GTS shortly after the end of each month
      • In order to help planning of instrument deployment opportunities the group requested COMNAP to construct a web page listing intended ship movements
      • Meteograms for Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations should be put in the public domain.