The Relation Between Cloudiness over the Greenland Icecap and Synoptic Weather Types 1 2
This paper is a summary of cloudiness over the Greenland icecap route from Sondrestrom Air Base, approximately 67N–51W, to Angmagssalik, approximately 65.5N–37.5W. Four types of synoptic systems were chosen and cloudiness summarized by types both annually and for the summer season. Total cloudiness annually and for the summer season without regard to synoptic types is also presented. Data for this paper consisted of 511 flight cross sections made by Scandinavian Airlines System flight crews in scheduled air service over the icecap route. It is presented in the form of a cross-section grid with isopleths showing the percentage of time cloudiness was observed at each grid point. These cross sections are of particular value in that they are the first source of systematic, observed weather data over this area. An attempt is made to explain icecap cloud distribution by correlation with system type in order to provide a practical forecasting aid for the Greenland air-route forecasters.