ClimateBasis programme
The ClimateBasis programme monitors climate and hydrology at all three sites (Zackenberg, Disko and Kobbefjord) and is run by Asiaq - Greenland Survey. The collected data provide foundational knowledge on the current state of the climate system and its interannual variability as well as on ongoing long-term changes. They are routinely used by other GEM sub-programmes and provide a basis for societal adaptation strategies to climate change in Greenland. The stations are embedded in Asiaq’s extensive climate and hydrology monitoring network. Furthermore, the run-off data is delivered to the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) and the Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC) networks.
Atmospheric parameters are collected redundantly at each location on two separated masts with individual energy supply in order to be able to treat data gaps and sensor biases consistently. Hydrometric parameters are monitored on various automated stations. Emphasis is placed on the establishment and update of reliable stage-discharge relationships, which can easily change due to changes in unstable river beds. At the river Zackenberg for instance, repeated glacier outburst floods require an updated stage-discharge relation every year, where the related field work is performed together with the GeoBasis sub-programme.
Monitored parameters
- Air Temperature
- Air Humidity
- Air Pressure
- Precipitation
- Radiation
- Wind
- River hydrology
- Snow properties
- Fractional cloud cover
- Column-integrated water vapour
