Spatial differentiation of air temperature and humidity on western coast of Spitsbergen in 1979-1983

Abstract

Spatial differentiation of temperature and relative humidity of air on western coast of Spitsbergen in 1979-1983 is presented. Applying the author's classification of types of atmospheric circulation in the studied area, its influence on distribution of these elements is shown. Air temperature in the area is related more to the degree of climate continentality than to its latitude. The lowest mean 5-year temperatures were calculated for stations with highest degrees of thermic continentality (Svea Gruber and Svalbard Lufthavn). The highest thermic differentiation occurs from November to March (1-4°C) and the lowest in May-June and August-October (0.0-1.5°C). It is opposite if relative humidity is concerned: the highest differences occur in summer (10-15%) and the lowest in winter (0-9%). Influence of atmospheric circulation on air temperature is larger during a polar night than a polar day. Again, it is opposite in the case of relative humidity. In both analyzed seasons the highest thermic differentiation occurred at the circulation type Ca. However, it was the lowest during a polar night at advection of air from northern and southern sectors, and during a polar day at advection from a northern sector and at the type Cc.