Extreme Temperatures in the Antarctic

Abstract We present the first Antarctic-wide analysis of extreme near-surface air temperatures based on data collected up to end 2019 as part synoptic meteorological observing programs. consider at 17 stations Antarctic continent and nearby sub-Antarctic islands. examine frequency distributions highest lowest individual observed. The variability trends in number were examined via mean daily computed from 0000, 0600, 1200, 1800 UTC observations, with thresholds for warm cold days taken 5th 95th percentiles. five Peninsula region all experienced a statistically significant increase ( p < 0.01) high late-twentieth-century their records, although extremes decreased subsequent years. For period after 1979 we investigate background events using ECMWF interim reanalysis (ERA-Interim) fields. majority record recorded passage masses over orography, being warmed by foehn effect. At some coastal East Antarctica potential temperature descended plateau, resulting an mass 5°–7°C warmer than maritime air. Record low observed during winters positive sea ice anomalies Bellingshausen Weddell Seas.