The Antarctic Meteorological Research Center at the Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison has created over 10 years of Antarctic composite infrared (~11.0 micron) satellite images. These images offer a good view of clouds and their motion about the Southern Hemisphere, and specifically their advection or transport onto the Antarctic continent. During the last 10 years when the composites were being constructed, it has been noticed that there are extended periods when clouds from storm systems or other cloud masses would be transported nearly perpendicularly onto specific regions of the Antarctic continent. These transport events occur with some periodicity over the last 10 years.

This poster will explain how these transport events have been studied in further detail using the first 10 years of composites available on videotape. In the study, four regions were focused on that received the most cloud transport events. These regions will be focused on and a compilation and statistical analysis of the events in these regions will be reviewed, especially as it compares to other long-term climate signals such as El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) via the Southern Oscillation Index.

The main future direction for this work includes the use of reanalysis data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). This study will focus on a specific transport event lasting greater than 10 days. In the study, cloud mass transport and variables such as pressure and relative humidity will be compared to determine if the cloud mass transport is being accurately depicted. The outcome of this research would be useful in verifying the accuracy of the NCEP model data. It can also be used as a tool in assisting short term forecasting in the events a significant storm impacts the continent, such as the recent medical evacuation from the South Pole. Some future directions for this work include looking at other climate signals, such as the Antarctic Oscillation and the Semi – Annual Oscillation.