Wind and temperature regime in Mizuho Plateau, East Antarctica

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Abstract
Wind and temperature are the most important factors in describing the climate on an Antarctic plateau. Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions have conducted a series of oversnow traverses in Mizuho Plateau, East Antarctica. Data have been collected on the annual mean temperatures, which are inferred From 10 m depth snow temperatures, and on the prevailing wind directions, which are inferred from the snow surface reliefs. The data from the ground-based observations have been combined with remotely sensed data both from satellites and airplanes. Annually averaged NOAA channel 5 brightness temperatures correlate well with the 10 m snow temperatures. The synthesized prevailing windfield shows a clear distinction between the katabatic wind system and that of the synoptic disturbances. Confluence zones are also identified but their presence seems only intermittent. A slight but significant climate difference has been observed between ridges and troughs of the plateau due to the difference in katabatic wind forces.

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