Climate
The climate is changing rapidly in the north. You may have noticed that it rains more often in winter now than it used to?
We are collecting data on weather and snow in Varanger. This knowledge will help us to predict how the future climate might look like.
It will make us better prepared to handle the changes that are coming.
What are we monitoring?
The weather is getting warmer and more unstable, especially in the Arctic. This changes the living conditions for animals and plants.
In recent years, we have set up new weather stations in Varanger. They provide precise information about the weather conditions in the areas where we conduct research on the ecosystems.
The weather data collected over time will also give us insight into how the weather changes from year to year and help us predict the future climate and its effects on the ecosystem.
Weather station on Reinhaugen.
Photo: Nigel Yoccoz
Weather and Climate
"Weather is what you get, climate is what you expect" is often said.
Weather changes quickly and can vary over short distances.
Climate, on the other hand, is defined as the average weather over a longer period of time, typically 30 years.
The Norwegian Meteorological Institute uses measurements from our weather stations in combination with their own stations closer to the coast.
This provides more accurate weather forecasting, and we gain better knowledge of how the weather and climate varies between the coast and further inland on the Varanger Peninsula.
Snow conditions affect the availability of food for herbivores, such as small rodents and reindeer.
Good snow conditions, meaning loose snow and little ice on the ground, provide good conditions for small rodents during the winter, for example.
Therefore, we examine the stratification in the snow, grain size, and whether ice or crust is present. In addition, we measure the temperature and density of the snow.
Digging a snow profile in Varanger. How deep have
we measured the snow?
Photo: Anders Voss Thingnes
Here we are measuring the temperature and
density of the snow.
Photo: Nigel Yoccoz
Lemming in the snow.
Photo: Rolf A. Ims
If the ground is covered with ice, it can be difficult for lemmings and other herbivores to find enough food during the winter months.
Photo: Jan Erik Knutsen
A snow profile can reveal clear stratification. Here you can also see a tunnel dug out by a lemming deep under the snow.
Photo: Matilde Poirier
Weather stations
COAT has 9 weather stations in Varanger. The first ones were set up in 2018, and together they cover areas from which there were no previous weather data.
Together with the existing weather stations of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, we now have access to weather data from both the coast and further inland.
This gives us the opportunity to understand more about the local variations in weather, and how the weather in different areas will be affected by climate changes.
Weather station at Korgåsen.Photo: Bernt Enge Larsen
