Influence of Foehn-Like Winds on Near-Surface Temperature at Jang Bogo Station, Terra Nova Bay, East Antarctica

Abstract

The coast of Terra Nova Bay (TNB) is known as one of the intense katabatic wind confluence zones in Antarctica. Strong westerly winds with topography-specific foehn effects (foehn-like winds, FLWs) could have influenced surface temperatures in this area downwind of the Transantarctic Mountains, yet their impact remains unstudied. Jang Bogo Station (JBS) in TNB has weak winds year-round, with occasional strong winds causing significant winter temperature increases. This study aims to investigate the FLWs and their recent variability in occurrence at JBS in terms of surface temperature variability. During the strong wind events, the surface warms due to foehn effects such as adiabatic heating and vertical mixing. FLWs occur approximately 16% (10%) of the time in winter (annually). FLWs are caused by cyclones in the eastern Ross Sea. Meteorological records for 2015–2022 revealed an increased FLW frequency, particularly in winter, which has increased temperatures in recent years.