This page gives access to meteo information prepared by KNMI for the ASTAR measurement campaign that takes place from 10 May to 18 June 2004 at Spitsbergen. The latest forecasts are based on the analysis valid for yesterday 12 UT which is ready early in the morning (of today). I provide plots for forecast time steps of 24 hours, 30 hours (valid today at 12h and 18h) and 48 hours (valid tomorrow at 12h).
The plots are based on forecasts calculated with the ECMWF model.
In the maps the X-sections are indicated in yellow. Furthermore, Ny Alesund is purple, Longyearbyen is black and Hornsund blue (triangles in maps, vertical lines in X-sections).
The equivalent potential temperature maps
and X-sections can be used to identify fronts (visible as
gradients / densely packed contours.)
The PV plots can be used to identify tropopause folds
the tropopause height, and deep upper level troughs
(polar lows) that may include convective activity.
Interpretation of the other plots should be straightforward.
Comments and questions from the ASTAR team are quite welcome!
See also the TM4 chemical forecasts.