Diurnal variations of the temperature and their influence on wind regime in a confluence zone of Antarctica

The behaviour of the wind field at the confluence zone of Terra Nova Bay during a transition period from winter to summer is considered. To explain some observed features the influence of diurnal variations are considered to integrate and complete the analysis based on annual and seasonal variations. Diurnal variations in the buoyancy difference between two main air masses coming from the Revees and Priestley glaciers are assumed to contribute to diurnal alteration of the wind direction at the Nansen ice sheet. The data recorded at three automatic weather stations (AWS) available that period are analysed. Using the wavelet analysis procedure, it is shown that the contribution of one-day variations of some basic meteorological parameters and their gradients (in particular of temperature and pressure) is important and comparable with synoptic ones. On the base of the diurnal variations some aspects of the local circulation have been explained. The basis for the further studies related to the evolution of katabatic winds in this area are also presented.