From ships to shores: The new high-Arctic IWIN weather station network in Svalbard
The Isfjorden Weather Information Network (IWIN) is a new network of automatic weather stations deployed in Svalbard's Isfjorden region. Developed by the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) with close support from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway), IWIN addresses a critical challenge: the scarcity of in-situ weather data in the Arctic.
Weather station on top of the lighthouse at Narveneset in Billefjorden (inner Isfjorden) in Svalbard. The Nordenskiöld glacier is seen in the background. Photo credits: Lukas Frank
The IWIN weather stations are rugged and reliable, designed to withstand the harsh Arctic climate. Strategically placed on existing infrastructure like lighthouses and tourist ships, these compact and cost-effective stations measure key weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, and air pressure.
Lighthouse overlooking the western part of Isfjorden from Daudmannsodden, with an IWIN weather station installed on top. Photo credits: Lukas Frank
The data collected by IWIN are invaluable for both scientific research and practical applications. From a research perspective, it provides crucial insights into Svalbard's rapidly changing climate, helping scientists understand phenomena like sea ice retreat, diminishing glaciers and atmosphere-ocean interactions. The complex topography of Svalbard creates highly localized weather patterns, which IWIN data help to document. Additionally, high-resolution data from IWIN are essential for developing advanced weather and climate models as they can be used for both validation and potentially also for assimilation purposes. All IWIN data are openly published via MET Norway’s online data portals: thredds.met.no and adc.met.no.
Example of temperature and wind measurements collected in the eastern part of Isfjorden (Billefjorden) with a weather station mounted on a tourist ship regularly trafficking the fjord. Photo credits: Frank et al., 2023
For society, IWIN data improve safety in the Isfjorden region, particularly for settlements like Longyearbyen. It supports various activities like tourism and fisheries by providing real-time weather information. In the event of emergencies, IWIN data also aids search and rescue efforts in the harsh Arctic environment.
PCAPS aims to improve weather forecasting and climate prediction models for the polar regions. IWIN directly contributes to PCAPS by providing high-quality, previously missing weather data from Svalbard. These data help validate and refine existing models, leading to more accurate weather forecasts and a deeper understanding of climate change in these sensitive polar environments.
Thumbnail photo information: Installation of the first IWIN weather station on top of a lighthouse at Bohemanneset, on the northern coastline of Isfjorden, Svalbard. Photo credit: Charlotte Sandmo