Arctic meteorology

The Arctic regions experience an annual cycle of winter ‘night’ and summer ‘day’. In winter, highs and lows traverse the area, but most have little effect on surface weather except for cold lows which cause medium- and high-level clouds. These partially offset radiational cooling. Most weather results from the intensely cold ground air which is chilled by contact with land losing heat from strong terrestrial radiation, since winter clouds are otherwise scarce. Only infrequently do depressions penetrate the inversions so formed. Winter temperatures are close to -40 °C. Although snowfall is slight, winds cause frequent blizzards and drifting. In spring, days are longer and sunny but temperatures remain low because incoming solar radiation is reflected back into the atmosphere from the snow surface. In summer, some depressions bring thicker cloud and light rain. The snow- and ice-melt in June and July keep air temperatures over the pack ice close to 0 °C. Skies are usually overcast over coastal areas, but by late afternoon temperatures in inland areas may rise to 15-20 °C.