Polar Meteorology: Why

Why do we need a "polar model"?

Keep in mind that the regional weather forecast models that are used by the U.S. National Weather Service were developed for the mid-latitudes, since much of the continental U.S. is found between 25 and 50 degrees north latitude. However, the conditions that are found in the “lower 48 states” are not typical of the Polar Regions.

The range of temperature, the presence of ice in summer, and other distinct differences between polar and mid-latitude areas require the models to have different starting points, in order to adequately represent the observed conditions at the Earth's surface. A weather forecast (or climate) model assigns each grid space a value that describes the elevation of the land, the type of land cover (barren, vegetated, or forested), the presence of water (whether frozen or liquid) and the temperature, among other things. These types of data are put into mathematical equations that show the relationships between these factors.

Why do we need forecasts for the Polar Regions anyway?

There are several good reasons to develop forecasts for the Polar Regions. First of all, people live in the Arctic. But forecasts for both Polar Regions enable scientists to make decisions about what kinds of equipment are needed, whether or not it is safe to travel, and to better understand the range of conditions that can occur.

Why do climate scientists need to collaborate if the data are all ready to be downloaded?

Scientists always learn from each other. They have followed their interests and developed skills and/or programs in atmospheric sciences. As a result, each of them is somewhat unique in their background. They also want to understand the most recent information that is available, so they regularly communicate with each other as they continue to learn.