On the extraordinary katabatic winds of Adélie Land

The winds observed in Adélie Land, eastern Antarctica, are the strongest observed anywhere on Earth close to sea level, e.g. Cape Denison measured a mean annual wind speed of about 20 m s −1 . Some historic data from the area are available; however, such measurements were carried out at different places for different time periods. Hence in December 1992, we placed four automatic weather stations along the coast of Adélie Land, two in the maximum wind jet (Port Martin and Cape Denison) and one on each side of this jet (D 10 close to Dumont d'Urville and Penguin Point, respectively). We obtained about three months of good data, as on March 25, 1993, a strong storm destroyed three of the four wind sensors. Wind velocities are discussed as a function of other meteorological parameters. Further, the interrelationships between the stations are described. Some of the findings are (1) the very high wind speeds reported earlier this century are in agreement with our measurements; the wind directional constancy is high; (2) historic measurements reported Cape Denison to be the windiest station, not only for Antarctica, but also close to sea level for planet Earth; again our measurements are in agreement; (3) very strong wind speeds have a more down‐slope direction than weaker ones; (4) the general atmospheric pressure gradient enhanced or inhibited the gravity flow; this is especially well pronounced in summer; and (5) in summer, above normal pressure is correlated with above normal temperatures; in fall the opposite holds true.