Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Canada #4: METEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC  

Outline
Arctic storms and their related hazards have major impacts on the economy, environment, health and society. These include, for example, effects on surface transportation, search and rescue operations, aviation, human activities (hunting to recreation) and health, wildlife, energy sectors, and coastline erosion. With climate change it is possible that the intensity and frequency of extreme storms will change in the future. Despite their economic, environmental, and societal impacts, there is currently no coordinated and integrated Arctic meteorological hazard and storm research program in Canada. The overall objective of this research is to begin to address these critical issues. In particular, its objectives are to better understand severe Arctic storms, their associated hazardous conditions, and their potential change and to contribute to their better prediction and response on short and long term scales. This objective will be realized through a focus on three themes: physical features of Arctic extreme weather events and the identification of hazards; processes and feedbacks leading to such extremes; and the frequency, magnitude and location of such hazards under changing climatic conditions. More specifically, the main hazards to be investigated include: blizzards, blowing snow, severe wind chill and reduced visibility; storms producing snow and mixed phase precipitation with significant accumulation; and storms, strong winds and their impact on sea ice.A key aspect of the project is the acquisition of additional measurements of such storms during the 2007-08 time period. Such measurements will be based at Iqaluit. The field project (and its associated analysis phase) is referred to as STAR (Storm Studies in the Arctic).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1) The project quantifies the nature of severe storms in the eastern Canadian Arctic.2) Climatologies will be prepared of extreme and hazardous weather events and contributions will be made to assessing future changes.3) Comparisons will be made between severe storms in the Arctic, similar storms in the South, as well as storms in other high-latitude regions.4) This will be the first project in the eastern Canadian Arctic focussing on extreme and hazardous weather. 6) There are direct interactions with and involvement of the local community in this project, concerning for example the planning of a sustainable subdivision in Iqaluit.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project will work closely with international groups and individual researchers. These include researchers from the United States, Norway, Germany, and Japan. Additional interactions are expected to develop.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Iqaluit Position: 64°31’N, 68°31W, northeast head of Frobisher Bay on Southeast Baffin Island in the Arctic Ocean north of Hudson Bay. Elevation: 34 m above sea levelClimate type: Arctic Population: 6,200 (2002), 66% Inuit (Iqaluit City Guide at www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 10/07-11/07            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The project will mainly focus on southern Baffin Island and its surrounding region. In the Iqaluit area instrumentation to be deployed includes an X-band surface-based Doppler radar, surface mesonet, blowing snow measurements, supplementary soundings, sodar, profiling microwave radiometer, and detailed surface precipitation measurements. Aircraft observations are also being considered using the National Research Council of Canada Convair with onboard radars. The intention will be to fly approximately 60 research hours into storms to observe their critical features. It is possible that the CCGS Amundsen may be available as well. International involvement is expected to lead to additional measurements.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
A surface weather station has already been installed in Iqaluit, several more will be installed for the intensive observations, and at least one of these will remain in Iqaluit.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - This project is working under ArcticNet which has the strong support of many agencies and programs.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

This is a new initiative on Arctic storms but it will complement existing programs dealing at least in part with atmospheric issues.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project is contributing to the Environmental Hazards Theme 4 of ArcticNet, it is led by two respected Canadian researchers with past involvement in Arctic research, and has a strong team of scientists. The project will be organized with a Management Committee, a Scientific Committee, and a strong Users’ Group.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Public lectures in Iqaluit on extreme and hazardous weather in that region will be given as part of the project. Students of the Environmental Technology course of the Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit have been involved in a field trip for the deployment of a surface weather station and such direct interactions will be expanded in the future.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The group has a long history of developing strong data management practices. Researchers within this effort, for example, were largely responsible for establishing the data and information management systems used within the highly successful Mackenzie GEWEX (Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment) Study.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
This effort currently has funds from ArcticNet of approximately $125K per year. A proposal is currently being prepared to the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, and other –in-kind support is expected form several agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Ronald Stewart
McGill University
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 2K6
Canada

Tel: (514) 398-1380
Mobile: no
Fax: (514) 398-6115
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation