Medium-range forecasts of large ice cover discontinuities for hydrometeorological support of navigation in the Arctic basin

A brief characteristic of the Arctic ice cover discontinuities (ICD) is given. Their practical importance for vessels operating in this region as well as necessity of forecasting such indicators as the prevailing disposition of discontinuities and location of zones of their formation and closure are noted. The forecasting technique is based on the method of complex analogs. A summary of forecasts produced for the Arctic navigation areas since 1991 is provided. It is shown, that recent upgrading of the original methodology allowed to produce forecasts in on-line mode, to present digital maps of the forecast data, and to transfer them directly to the vessel’s automated workplace. A number of practical examples are presented for illustrating the navigation efficiency if forecast and actual ICD data are used. The results of forecast verification are given.     

Influence of the Spatial Resolution of Satellite Images on the Values of the Characteristics of Ice-Cover Leads in the Arctic Seas

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The values of the characteristics of ice-cover leads in the Laptev and East Siberian Seas calculated from satellite images with spatial resolution of...     

GIS-Oriented Database for the System Analysis and Prediction of the Geodynamic Stability of the Nizhne-Kansky Massif

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - In 2019, the construction of an underground research laboratory for justifying the geoecological safety of the disposal of highly active radioactive...     

Climate Oscillations in the Arctic Region in the Holocene and Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - A global problem facing humanity today is the changing planetary climate. The Earth’s northern regions play an important role in processes that affect the...     

Identification of ice properties in the Sea of Okhotsk using scattering index maps

Considered are simplified model concepts allowing the use of the AMSU microwave radiometer measurement data and the maps of scattering index (SI) compiled by them for estimating the variability of the thickness of thin and young ice as well as for obtaining principally new satellite information about the areas of the possible hummocking of ice cover. Demonstrated is the essential influence of deep cyclones on the ice thickness reduction due to the ice thawing from below in the areas where waves are driven under the ice from the warmer, not frozen part of the water area. Carried out is a comparative analysis of sea ice properties identified from SI maps and the traditional maps of ice condition analysis. Noted is a possibility of the useful application of all-weather SI maps for monitoring sea ice properties in the areas of their rapid variability formed during the periods of a deep cyclone passage.     

Analysis of wind conditions by using a complex of higher frequency forecast and satellite data during the flooding period on February 3, 2008 in Saint Petersburg

A new approach to estimating wind conditions over the Gulf of Finland aquatorium during the flood event observed on February 3, 2008 is considered in this paper. This approach is based on joint assimilation of the higher frequency model output data and measurements obtained from a geostationary satellite. High accuracy of the computed current values of the maximum wind speed and direction has been noted. To provide the advanced flood warning, an adapted methodology based on the regional NWP model hourly data only has been applied. It was found that computed dynamics of changes in expected values of wind speed and direction over the east part of the Gulf of Finland aquatorium well coheres with the actual dynamics of the flood height. Profitability of the developed maps for analysis and forecasting of wind conditions over the sea areas where wind observations are unavailable.     

The Velocities of Modern Horizontal Movements of Earth Crust in the South Sector of Yenisei Ridge According to GNSS Observations

Doklady Earth Sciences - The paper presents the results of GNSS observations, provided by the authors in 2010-2019 years, in the zone of contact of tectonic structures of the Siberian platform,...     

Automated estimation of the maximum speed of surface wind gusts by taking into account information obtained from the geostationary satellite

A new approach to monitoring of the maximum speed of wind gust based on the numerical hydrodynamic forecast and measurements of the cloud top radiation temperature obtained from a geostationary satellite is considered. With a reference to specific cases, it is shown that there is no contradiction between actual observations of the maximum surface wind speed and the results of its automated estimation using the developed method. Restrictions of the method in accuracy of determination of the limits of abrupt wind strengthening and its values in the regions with complicated terrain relief are shown. The practical value of new maps for the analysis of wind situation in the seas and plains is mentioned.     

Water Pollution by Heavy Metals and Oil Products in Uglovoi Bay in February 2010–2016

Water Resources - Water pollution by heavy metals in Uglovoi Bay in 2015–2016 was analyzed. The concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Hg, As, Pb, Cd, and oil products were found to exceed the...