Explosive cyclone hits northern Antarctic Peninsula in the middle of austral summer

Figure: synoptic letter of January 10, 2022. Source: https://ssl.smn.gob.ar/

On January 10, 2022, an explosive cyclone (a “weather bomb”, as they are popularly known), hit the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, where several international research stations are located, including those sponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, South Korea, Peru, Poland, Russia, Uruguay, and the United States.

The cyclone which reached category 1 on the Bergeron scale (which goes up to category 3 as the most intense level), presented a drop in atmospheric pressure of 27.8 hPa in 24 hours and reached a minimum value of 956.1hPa at the Brazilian Antarctic station Comandante Ferraz. The cyclone was accompanied by sustained winds of 14.1m/s (31.5mph) and maximum gusts that reached 25.5 m/s (57.0 mph).

This is a rare event, although explosive cyclones can occur at any time of year in Antarctica, occurrence in the month of January is very unusual. The records of this type of phenomenon began in 1989 with only 5 cases having been identified during the month of January in the more than 40 years since. Approximately 2% of reported bomb cyclone cases occur in January, most cases occur in the winter months of July to September.

For some time now, WEC has been reporting and warning of hazards related to increase in the number of cases of explosive cyclones in what is one of the most navigated, explored and populated areas of Antarctica.

The video of this cyclone is available at:

Atlanta, January 11, 2022 

By M. Romão and L.B.M.Pires