Our Antarctic Facilities

Transcription

1 Our Antarctic Facilities Australian Activities in Antarctica Tony Worby IICWG Chile, October days Macquarie Island Wilkins aerodrome

2 Hobart is Australia s Gateway to East Antarctica and the Southern Ocean International Gateway to Antarctica

3 Tasmanian Antarctic research hub Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Organisation s (CSIRO) Marine & Atmospheric Research University of Tasmania - Institute of Marine & Antarctic Studies (IMAS) Antarctic, Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC) Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) Australian Maritime College (AMC) CCAMLR, ACAP, SOOS Secretariats Other National Agencies Bureau of Meteorology International Gateway to Australian Antarctica Maritime Safety Authority Approx people directly Employed in Antarctic and Marine Research Sector

4 Hobart provides a natural deep water harbour adjacent to the main city centre

5 Tasmania as an Antarctic Gateway $24M investment over 3 years to further built Hobart s profile as an Antarctic Gateway (Federal Government) Build research capacity across institutions Provide additional logistics capability Australian Gov t has a 20- year strategy discussion document for our Antarctic program - recently released Investment in Sea Ice Services (2 people) Longer-term aspiration to develop sea ice forecasting capability (24 72 hours + seasonal) Keen to work with other nations and leverage experience of Arctic operators!

6 Australian Activities in Antarctica - a Typical Year At least one visit to each station Over 10,000 tonnes of cargo delivered Over 500 passenger return trips by ship or air Over 50,000 occupied bed nights Over 6 million litres of fuel used for station electrical plants, shipping, aviation, vehicles, etc. Scientific research at sea, on stations and in the deep field

7

8 Shipping and Aviation in 2013/14

9 The Australian Search and Rescue Region AUSTRALIA SSR REGION NZ SSR SOUTH AFRICA SSR REGION The largest SAR region in the world approximately 12% of the earth s surface

10 Search and Rescue incidents in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean

11 Met Area X - Australia Transition of met information to mariners. Regions are part of Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS).

12 Bureau of Meteorology Australia s Bureau of Meteorology has primary responsibility for providing weather forecasts in support of operational, research and SAR activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

13 Issuing of routine forecasts Aviation briefing notes Broad surface trough well to the north of Casey meaning for the next couple of days wind should be light and cloud Davis base over Station the skiway Public should Weather be not Forecast too low. Low level cloud over skiway a threat Issued mid to at late 2300 week UTC though on 30/11/13 as weak systems develop in Vincennes Bay. Mid Level Lows sending pulses over moisture towards ABN. Possible clearance hinted at by guidance Warnings between and Weather these pulses, Summary but will need to assess satellite imagery closer to the expected time to give more definitive advice on when, and note thinning, not complete Weather clearance, Warnings: of cloud Gale farce is expected winds on (ie. the Surface Plateau later Monday definition may not be good, but and be in Tuesday. the poor-fair Strong, range). Casey Skiway & Mitchell Peninsula possibly gale farce winds at Davis overnight Monday into Tuesday. Monday: Becoming overcast during Weather the day, Summary: base not Low too and low associated (ie. Around front ft approaching late amsl). Poor SD, poor HD developing. Monday with periods of Tuesday: Overcast, some light snow snow at developing times. Poor and SD, winds HD. increasing, easing by Wednesday. Wednesday: Overcast with some light snow most of day, although chance of some clearing later. Low level cloud a Sunday possibility. 1 Dec Poor 2013 SD, HD. Aurora Basin Mostly sunny. NE winds 10/20 knots. SFC and HZN definition good. Monday: Possibly OK conditions Min/Max (depending ~-4/2 on C what level of SD is acceptable) developing during the day with Winds cloud base an the rising plateau: to about NE 15/ ft. knots, Will need to assess satellite imagery in morning for more definitive timing (current timing is around lunchtime). SD/HD expected to improve from nil to poor (and possibly Monday 2 Dec 2013 fair). Icing improving along route throughout day.. Fine at first. Cloud increasing during the day and periods of snow during the evening, NE winds 15/25 knots, increasing late afternoon/evening TAF YWKS Z to 20/ /2512 knots, possibly reaching G45KT 0100 BLSN SN SCT030 OVC060 knots overnight. SFC and HZN definition good reducing to poor in the evening. BECMG 2407/ G35KT 9999 DRSN SN Min/Max ~-4/1 C BKN025 OVC060 Winds an the plateau: NE 25/35 knots, BECMG increasing 2422/2500 overnight 09015KT to 35/ FEW015 BKN025 knots. SCT060 BECMG 2503/ KT 9999 FEW025 RMK SFC AND HZN DEFN POOR BECMG 2503/2505 BoM forecasting service via Scott Carpentier GOOD

14 Some problems observation stations (surface) Poleward of 40 o Data from volume A WMO observation sites

15 Some problems observation stations (upper air) Poleward of 40 o Data from volume A WMO observation sites

16 Current ACCESS models

17 ACCESS P the initial version Polar atmospheric forecast model developed within the Bureau of Meteorology. Replacement of PolarLAPS Nested within ACCESS-G APS1 and run in near-real-time at 00Z and 12Z out for 72 hours. ~27km greater Antarctic region Australian version of the UK Met office UM.

18 ACCESS P the new version proposed) ACCESS P: 11km atmosphere only (initially) regional model 700x700 grid points, 72 levels Nested within ACCESS G (24km) Covers the greater Antarctic region including sea ice extent Will eventually couple an ocean/sea ice to the atmosphere model Used for: Intercontinental aviation (Hobart to bases) Shipping

19 Antarctic Gateway: Sea Ice Information Service Growing demand for sea ice information to aid navigation Australian research vessel Aurora Australis and other vessels operating in the Antarctic sea ice zone Research institutions in Hobart have been working to provide relevant information Aspire to further develop the Sea Ice View Tool and transition to more robust operational service, including sea ice forecasting Currently Sea Ice View Tool: Near-Real-Time delivery to any computer on ship or... Rapid delivery of current data / information (individual products - in general not synthesis) Two data types: images = regular grid (raster) in geographic projection points = points, lines, polygons (vector) e.g. Ice edge, ship track Various satellite sensor types and characteristics (data delivered as images ): Visible MODIS (ATSR, MERIS, VIIRS, AVHRR,... Plus Landsat, etc) Infra-red MODIS as single or multi-channel (ATSR, VIIRS, AVHRR) Active Microwave = imaging radar, scatterometer (Passive Microwave as brightness temperature) Products and delivery tailored to ship s communications and user requirements. Future involvement in Antarctic sea ice charting needs a discussion and resources.

20 Control Panel Full detail view + overlays Legend (no units) Date List Zoom Overview + box = detail Tabs

21 Conclusions Growing demand for sea ice products to be delivered to vessels to aid navigation Preference to deliver images and tools for interpretation, rather than ice charts per se Investment by Australian Government to provide initial service (3 years) Looking for opportunities to leverage investment and build capacity and capability with partners Longer-term aspiration to develop sea ice forecasting capability (24 72 hours + seasonal) Keen to work with other nations and leverage experience of Arctic operators!