This book presents for the first time a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of air temperature and atmospheric precipitation variability over a period of instrumental observation in the Arctic, using data from stations, updated to the year 2000. A summary is also provided of the current state of knowledge concerning climatic change in the Arctic, including a comprehensive review of literature, updated to 2001. The climatology of the studied elements with seasonal resolution is presented for the period 1951-1990.
In contrast to the majority of publications in the field, the analysis presented here is for the "real" Arctic, the boundary of which has been delimited using a range of climatic criteria. For the first time, extreme temperatures are also included in the analysis.
The book is intended for all those with a general interest in fields of meteorology, climatology, and with a knowledge of the application of statistics in these areas.
Preface to the English Edition. Acknowledgements. Acknowledgements to the English Edition. Translator's Note. Symbols. 1. Introduction. 2. A Review of the Literature. 3. Data and Methods. 4. Variability in Atmospheric Circulation in the Arctic between 1939 and 1990. 5. Variability of Air Temperature. 6. Variability of Atmospheric Precipitation. 7. Scenarios of Thermal-Precipitation Conditions in a Warmer World. 8. Conclusions. 9. Variability of Air Temperature and Atmospheric Precipitation over a Period of Instrumental Observations in the Arctic: An Update to 2000. References. Index.
The book will appeal to all persons interested in the climate of polar areas of the Earth. Students and scientists dealing with the climate of the Arctic for the first time will greatly appreciate the definitions of the seven climatic regions that are used in all subsequent chapters. As the text gives a detailed account of the most important climatic elements for the Arctic it can be warmly recommended to researchers from different academic disciplines (geophysical, biological and ecological directions) that need a deeper understanding of the sensitive and until now insufficiently treated Arctic ecosystem. (Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 46 (2003)