Extreme Weather in West Greenland – Frequency, Magnitude and Impact
Aqutsisoq:
Jakob Abermann
Sammivik suliffeqarfillu:
Pinngortitaq – Asiaq
Qulequtaq:
Extreme Weather in West Greenland – Frequency, Magnitude and Impact
Allaatigisaq:
Heavy precipitation (ca. 30 mm) along with an impressive temperature rise (almost 26°C in 60 hours) and abnormally warm temperatures (up to 18.1°C) occurred between 9 April and 11 April 2016 in Kangerluarsunnguaq. Within 24 hours, the water level, since the temperature rise and likely an unstable snow pack, we observed a number of avalanches that in parts also destroyed some of our monitoring installations. Reviewing the literature, we found that the type of avalanches is best characterized as a ‘slush flow’, defined as a ‘mudflow-like flowage of water-saturated snow’. Perquisites are heavy precipitation and high temperatures. Such extreme events are a hazard for infrastructure, and a along with the recent warming in Greenland, there are indications that their frequency increases which makes their understating vital for adaptation measures.
The aim of this project is therefore to:
- quantify an extreme event in West Greenland, and describe conditions that lead to that,
- assess the potential of Remote Sensing methods for defining the spatial extent of the April 2016 event.
Once (I) and (II) have been answered, our longer climate time series will allow for assessment of recurrence times.
Nalunaarusiaq inaarinertalik:
Extreme Weather in West Greenland – Frequency, Magnitude, and Impact
