The Hydrometeorological Observatory Tiksi is located in the Russian Arctic at 71.6 N, 128.9E, eastward of Lena river estuary near the coast of Laptev Sea on the shore of Sogo Bay. The weather polar station Tiksi was opened in 1932. The integrated facility has been developed through a partnership between the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet), National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. In the summer/fall of 2006 a new weather station laboratory facility was built which has additional laboratory and roof space intended to support instruments for research, climate studies and monitoring studies. A second facility was built in the summers of 2007-2008 1.5 km north west of the new Roshydromet weather station. The site for the second facility was selected so that the surrounding terrain is horizontally homogeneous, undisturbed, and with a significant clean air sector. The facility includes a 20 m tower., roof space, air sampling stacks and boardwalks to maintain the pristine environment. The official opening of the Tiksi Facility was in August 2010. This facility supports the research needs of the International community, across disciplines including supporting Global Atmosphere Watch, Baseline Surface Radiation Network, AeroNet measurements as well as other climate observations, including fast ice thickness and distribution, and permafrost.
Other Networks to Which This CryoNet Station Belongs
GAW, BSRN, CRN, AeroNet
Measurement Methods Used
WMO Technical Regulations
Data Information
Are the data quality controlled? yes
How are the data accessible? FTP, HTTP (web), an existing data center
Data availability (may depend on the variable measured): in real-time, in near real-time, delayed less than one year, delayed more than one year
Publications
Taneil Uttal, Alexander Makshtas, Tuomas Laurila, 2013: The Tiksi International Hydrometeorological Observatory - an Arctic members Partnership. Bulletin (The journal of the World Meteorological Organization) vol.62 (1), 22-26.
Makshtas A.P., Bolshakova I.I., Gun R.M., Jukova O.L., Ivanov N.E., Shutilin S.V., 2011: Climate of the Hydrometeorological Observatory Tiksi region. In Meteorological and geophysical investigations. Paulsen, 2011, 49 - 74 (in Russian).
Measurements
The measurements made at Tiksi are listed in the following tables. (Note: If End Year is blank, measurements are ongoing.)
Cryosphere Measurements
Element
Variable
Start Year
End Year
Frequency
Snow
Depth
1932
Continuous
Snow
Snowpack profile
2010
Sporadic
Snow
Extent
1932
Continuous
Snow
Drifting/blowing
1932
Continuous
Snow
Albedo
2010
Continuous
Seaice
Thickness
1932
Continuous
Seaice
Concentration
1932
Continuous
Seaice
Class (pack, fast ice)
Seaice
Type
1932
Continuous
Seaice
Ice phenomena
1932
Seaice
Extent
1932
Continuous
Seaice
Age
1932
Continuous
Seaice
Melt onset
1932
Continuous
Permafrost
Soil temperature
2010
Continuous
Permafrost
Active layer depth
2010
Continuous
Permafrost
Thermal state
2010
Continuous
Permafrost
Distribution (local/regional)
2010
Sporadic
Permafrost
Duration of thaw
2010
Fragmented
Permafrost
Onset of seasonal freezing
2010
Continuous
Permafrost
Depth of seasonal freezing
2010
Continuous
Atmosphere Measurements
Element
Variable
Start Year
End Year
Frequency
Met
Air temperature
1932
Continuous
Met
Humidity/vapour pressure
1932
Continuous
Met
Wind speed and direction
1932
Continuous
Met
Air pressure
1932
Continuous
Met
Snowfall
1932
Continuous
Met
Total precipitation
1932
Continuous
Met
Rainfall
1932
Continuous
Met
Trace gases
2010
Continuous
Met
Aerosols
2010
Continuous
Met
Sensible and latent heat
2010
Continuous
Radiation
Downwelling shortwave
2010
Fragmented
Radiation
Upwelling shortwave
2010
Continuous
Radiation
Downwelling longwave
2010
Continuous
Radiation
Upwelling longwave
2010
Continuous
Radiation
UV
2010
Not specified
Radiation
Sunshine duration
1932
Continuous
Measurement Notes and Other Measurements
Category
Description or List
Oceanography
Regular measurements of surface layer water temperature and salinity near shore beginning 1932.