Barrow Baseline Observatory Reference CryoNet Station Information
Barrow, Alaska Observatory (BRW), established in 1973, is located on the northern most point of the United States. It is about 8 km northeast of the village of Barrow and has a prevailing east-northeast wind off the Beaufort Sea. In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) maintains a weather observing facility in Barrow. Although the measurements at Barrow are made over open tundra, there are large lagoons and a number of lakes in the vicinity, and the Arctic Ocean is less than 3 km northwest of the site. Because of its proximity to these bodies of water and the fact that the prevailing winds are off the Beaufort Sea, BRW is perhaps best characterized as having an Arctic maritime climate affected by variations of weather and sea ice conditions in the Central Arctic.
This facility is manned year round by 2 engineers/scientists to complete routine inspections and maintenance of the instruments. Due to its unique location, dedicated and highly trained staff, and excellent power and communications infrastructure, the Barrow Observatory is host to numerous cooperative research projects from around the world.
Other Networks to Which This CryoNet Station Belongs
NOAA/ESRL/GMD
NASA/AERONET
BSRN
NDACC
WMO/GAW (Global site)
Data Information
Are the data quality controlled? yes
How are the data accessible? an existing data center
Data availability (may depend on the variable measured): in near real-time, delayed less than one month, delayed less than one year
Measurements
The measurements made at Barrow Baseline Observatory 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
Albedo
1985
Continuous
Permafrost
Soil temperature
2011
Continuous
Permafrost
Active layer depth
2011
Continuous
Permafrost
Duration of thaw
2011
Continuous
Permafrost
Onset of seasonal freezing
2011
Continuous
Permafrost
Depth of seasonal freezing
2011
Continuous
Atmosphere Measurements
Element
Variable
Start Year
End Year
Frequency
Met
Air temperature
1976
Continuous
Met
Humidity/vapour pressure
1976
Continuous
Met
Wind speed and direction
1973
Continuous
Met
Air pressure
1976
Continuous
Met
Trace gases
1973
Continuous
Met
Aerosols
1976
Continuous
Radiation
Downwelling shortwave
1976
Continuous
Radiation
Upwelling shortwave
1985
Continuous
Radiation
Downwelling longwave
1993
Continuous
Radiation
Upwelling longwave
1993
Continuous
Radiation
UV
1991
Continuous
Radiation
Sunshine duration
1976
Continuous
Measurement Notes and Other Measurements
Category
Description or List
Permafrost
Soil temps measured in top 120cm (covering the active layer). From this, other parameters can be easily calculated. Not currently a data product.
This facility is manned year round by 2 engineers/scientists to complete routine inspections and maintenance of the instruments. Due to its unique location, dedicated and highly trained staff, and excellent power and communications infrastructure, the Barrow Observatory is host to numerous cooperative research projects from around the world.