Accurate forecasting of visibility at McMurdo/Williams Field, Antarctica is essential for the air operations involving the resupply of United States bases and the conduct of research on the Antarctic continent. McMurdo, located at 77 deg 51' S 155 deg 40' E, receives all supplies destined for use by the United States Antarctic Research Program scientists. The Williams Field skiway and the adjacent ice runway are approximately 4.5 mi southeast of McMurdo. Weather observations are taken at both McMurdo and the operational airfield. The visibility climatology, August through March, for McMurdo (1956-1983) and Williams Field skiway/runway (1968-1983) was prepared using four operational visibility categories, as well as the seven important weather parameters which reduce visibility, namely, blowing snow, light snow, moderate to heavy snow, the three types of fog and ice crystals. A wind speed/direction climatology was also prepared because of its relation to both blowing snow and fog.

Provides examples of applications of state-of-the-art technology to fundamental problems in collecting and analyzing meteorological and climatological data for the Antarctic continent.

This book is a comprehensive survey of the climatology and meteorology of Antarctica. The first section of the book reviews the methods by which we can observe the Antarctic atmosphere and presents a synthesis of climatological measurements. In the second section, the authors consider the processes that maintain the observed climate, from large-scale atmospheric circulation to small-scale processes. The final section reviews our current knowledge of the variability of Antarctic climate and the possible effects of "greenhouse" warming. The authors stress links among the Antarctic atmosphere, other elements of the Antarctic climate system (oceans, sea ice and ice sheets), and the global climate system. This volume will be of greatest interest to meteorologists and climatologists with a specialized interest in Antarctica, but it will also appeal to researchers in Antarctic glaciology, oceanography and biology. Graduates and undergraduates studying physical geography, and the earth, atmospheric and environmental sciences will find much useful background material in the book.