| Strong surface winds are an inherent aspect of the eastern Canadian Arctic climate yet few studies have focused on these features. As a result, arctic winds are often poorly predicted by current weather forecasting models. To better predict the arctic weather, we need to understand the role of the Arctic's unique geographical and meteorological features such as mountains, sea-ice and very stable atmospheric stratification. In this study, we hypothesize that these features have an impact on high wind events in the eastern Canadian Arctic. To test this, we examine the long-term data records of six meteorological stations across southern Nunavut. We also develop a severity index to characterize high wind events, based on duration, maximum gusts and mean wind speed observed. By studying the five most severe high wind events and the motion of storm systems generating strong winds, we identified how the Arctic's geographical and meteorological features enhanced strong surface winds. High wind events are usually associated with intense cyclones located over Hudson Bay or Labrador Sea, particularly in wintertime. Under this large scale setting, blocking and channeling due to the stable boundary-layer stratification typically occur at Clyde River and Iqaluit, enhancing the surface wind speed. Over flatter terrain, high wind events typically occur when the station is situated in a region of strong synoptic pressure gradient between an anticyclone and a cyclone. |
