A review of the climate of Mawson – a representative strong wind site in East Antarctica

Abstract

An analysis is made of the climate of the Australian Antarctic station Mawson (67.6°S, 62.9°E) and its hinterland in the light of 30 years of observations and of previous investigations. Data are presented on free atmosphere temperature and wind structure, the synoptic meteorology of the region, solar radiation, surface temperature, sea ice, wind and weather. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics of the shallow south easterly katabatic winds averaging 11.1 m s−1 throughout the year and the frequent periods of intense gale associated with the effects of major Southern Ocean depressions. The climate of Mawson is believed to be typical of much of the coast of East Antarctica in regions where the ice-cap falls steeply to sea level.