Climatological study of gale-producing polar lows near Norway

Abstract

Weather maps have been scrutinized in order to document polar lows over the sea surrounding Norway. The study emphasizes the period 1978–1982, and 33 cases of gale-producing polar lows have been identified. The results are presented in frequency tables and one case study is shown.

The polar lows were most frequent in December and January. In February, there were only two cases. The lows were observed in weather situations with wind from NE, N or NW in the Norwegian Sea. and/or the Barents Sea, and with synoptic scale cyclones somewhere between Iceland and Novaya Zemlya. Half of the tracks crossed the area between Bear Island and the coast of North Norway. The propagation speed was usually between 8 and 13 ms^-1 over the sea. and between 15 and 20 ms^-1 over land.