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The modification of continental polar air over Hudson Bay
Author(s) -
Burbidge F. E.
Publication year - 1951
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49707733304
Subject(s) - bay , snow , oceanography , polar , geology , environmental science , climatology , ice sheet , surface air temperature , climate change , geomorphology , physics , astronomy
Changes in the physical properties of continental polar air are studied for air currents with trajectories over the Hudson Bay region. Computations indicate that westerly air streams crossing Hudson Bay in early winter are modified to a depth of 5 to 10 thousand ft. By midwinter, however, the modification is found to be negligible. This lack of modification in midwinter is attributed to the formation of an ice surface on Hudson Bay. Changes in the climate of the surrounding area caused by the formation of ice on Hudson Bay are illustrated by changes in temperature, cloud and snowfall. The modifying influence of the Bay in cooling the air in summer and heating the air in early winter is also discussed.