HR: 1340h
AN: GC13B-1247    [Abstracts]
TI: A Comparison of Two Air-Temperature Records From Barrow, Alaska, 1976-2004
AU: * Klene, A E
EM: anna.klene@umontana.edu
AF: Department of Geography, University of Montana, 203 SS, Missoula, MT 59812 United States
AB: The National Weather Service (NWS) air temperature record from Barrow, Alaska is one of the most widely used datasets for demonstrating Arctic warming. Yet, recent evidence suggests that there is a substantial heat island in the village (Hinkel et al., 2003; 2004). NWS records in downtown and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Lab (CMDL) data from several miles upwind of the village show a distinct difference between urban and rural temperatures. To demonstrate evidence of either a heat island or climate warming, a number of factors must first be examined at each of these sites. These factors are similar to those at most climate-monitoring sites in less remote parts of the world. In the 25 years since the beginning of the CMDL record, Barrow has grown from 2200 to 4600 residents. Instrumentation changes were implemented at both sites. A station move took place. Coastal influences are also large near Barrow and distance from the coast may be an influence. Unraveling the impacts of these considerations on the temperature differences between the NWS and CMDL sites is challenging. While Arctic climate change is a pressing issue and few temperature records are available, care must be taken to ensure that unbiased data are used in analysis. As urban development increases in Arctic regions, information on urban-rural temperature interactions may become more vital, particularly given the possibility of increasing temperatures accompanying climate change.
DE: 1610 Atmosphere (0315, 0325)
DE: 1621 Cryospheric change (0776)
DE: 3333 Model calibration (1846)
DE: 3394 Instruments and techniques
DE: 9315 Arctic region (0718, 4207)
SC: Global Climate Change [GC]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005