Sea ice observations & maritime meteorology records during Turkish antarctic expedition–I (TAE-I)

The Turkish Antarctic Expedition - I (TAE-I) was organized between February and April 2017 under auspicies of Presidency of Republic of Turkey, funded by Ministry of Scince, Industry and Technology and coordinated by Istanbul Technical University Polar Research Center. A team by nine scientists contribute to the Turkish Antarctic Expedition to conduct scientific activities. Whereas this scientific expedition of Antarctica made in the summer season, the sea ice ran less than winter months. Sea ice extent in winter is over fourteen million square kilometers, but in summer it can fall to three to four million square kilometers in coastal line of Antarctica. In local observations, it is planned that sea ice thickness categories measured. Determining the thickness of the sea ice by satellites is the hard part of the study. The observed extent of sea ice will compare with satellite images. In addition, images recorded by Turkish satellites during their voyages will also evaluated but the time of the images could not match with the observations dates. The result is not added to this study. Polar areas are the most dangerous places on earth for navigation of the vessels. Sea ices, icebergs and meteorological conditions have the biggest effects to shipping routes. During summer months the sea ices start melting around 10 million km² because of the rising temperatures. Antarctic sea ice extent reached to 2,112 million km² in March 2017 [1]. With the rising temperature trends scientists expected that the sea ices will melt more. Ship based sea ice observations and maritime meteorology studies carried out during the Turkish Antarctic Expedition – I (TAE-I). Sea ice observations in local areas recorded according to ASPeCt observation forms (Antarctic Sea Ice Processes & Climate) and the results compared with satellite images to validate satellite precision. In this study, in-situ observations covers maritime meteorological data records and mainly sea ice observation records with international codes, tables and graphs. Maritime meteorology, sea ice observation, the presence of icebergs, wind speed, daily air temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation and cloud conditions and visibility were recorded during daylight navigation