Characteristics of Strong Winds at Jang Bogo Station in East Antarctica: An 8-Year Observational Study

This study investigates the characteristics and mechanisms of strong winds at Jang Bogo Station (74°37'S, 164°12'E) in Terra Nova Bay, East Antarctica, using 8 years (2015-2022) of Automated Synoptic Observation System (ASOS) data and ERA5 reanalysis data. Analysis of strong wind patterns reveals two distinct strong wind regimes: southwesterly (180-270°) and northwesterly (270-360°) winds. Strong wind events show clear seasonal variation, with peak frequencies occurring in March and July. Synoptic analysis using ERA5 reanalysis data indicates that these strong winds are primarily driven by the interaction between the Amundsen Sea Low and the Antarctic continental high pressure system. The intensity and positioning of these pressure systems significantly influence both wind direction and speed at Jang Bogo Station. Notably, the strongest winds (top 1%) are predominantly northwesterly, associated with enhanced pressure gradients near the station. Case studies of extreme wind events reveal two distinct generating mechanisms: one associated with intense pressure gradients from passing cyclonic systems, and another linked to katabatic flows descending from the Antarctic interior. These findings provide important insights into the wind regime of Terra Nova Bay and contribute to our understanding of Antarctic meteorological patterns, which has implications for both operational forecasting and regional climate studies.