Russian Ice Patrol Ships
Russian Version

Documentation provided by V. Radionov; edited by F. Fetterer

Meteorological observations from ice patrol ships

Meteorological data from ice patrol ships have been used in the past only for operational navigation services along the Northern Sea Route. To create the archive of observation data from ice patrol ships for this Atlas, data from 14 ships in the seas of the western, central and eastern sections of the Russian Arctic between 1952 and 1982 were used. These ships had standard areas and months of operation (see Table 13).

Table 13. Year and area of operation of ice patrol ships.

Year Ship names, months of operation (represented by Roman numerals), and expedition region
 

Western section of the Russian Arctic (generally Barents and Kara Seas)

Central section of the Russian Arctic (generally the Laptev Sea)

Eastern section of the Russian Arctic (generally the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas)

1952 Lag (VII-X)    
1953 Toros (VII-X) Polyarnik (VII-X)  
1954 Toros (VII-X) Polyarnik (VIII-X)  
1955 Toros (VII-X) Polyarnik (VII-IX)  
1956 Toros (VII-X) Polyarnik (VII-X)  
1957 Toros (VII-X) Polyarnik (VII-IX)  
1958 Toros (VII-X) Polyarnik (VII-X) Lomonosov (VI-X)
1959 Toros (VII-X) Polyarnik (VII-IX) Lomonosov (VI-X)
1960 Priboy (VI-X) Lomonosov (VII-X) Azimut (VII-X)
1961 Priboy (VII-X) Shtorm (VII-X) Azimut (VIII-X)
1962 Priboy (VI-X) Shtorm (VII-X) Lomonosov (VII-X)
1963 Priboy (VII-X)

Shtorm (VII-X)

Azimut (VIII-IX)

 
1965 Priboy (VII-XI) Shtorm (VII-X) Azimut (VII-X)
1966 Priboy (VII-X) Shtorm (VII-X) Azimut (VII-X)
1967 Priboy (VIII-X) Shtorm (VII-X) Azimut (VII-X)
1968 Priboy (VII-IX) Iney (VII-X) Azimut (VII-X)
1969 Shqual (VIII-IX) Yana (VII-IX)  
1970 Shqual (VIII-IX) Yana (VII-IX)  
1972 Polyarnik (VI-VIII)    
1976 Aisberg (IV-VI)    
1979 Majak (VIII-X) Shtorm (VIII-X) Stvor (VII-IX)
1980 Dmitry Laptev (IX-X) Shtorm (VIII-X)  
1981 Dmitry Laptev (VIII-X) Stvor (IX)  
1982 Dmitry Laptev (IX-X)    

A typical ice patrol ship plan is shown in Figure 8, and the meteorological equipment carried aboard the ships is presented in Table 14. Note that all the meteorological devices were calibrated before an expedition and were given special certificates with information about all essential instrument corrections.

Figure 8.  A typical ice patrol ship plan 1

Figure 8.  A typical ice patrol ship plan 2

Figure 8. A typical ice patrol ship plan. "1" marks the room for hydrological measurements (in the central part of the ship on the port side), "4" marks the meteorological instrumentation box (on the centerline aft of the forward mast).

Table 14. Meteorological equipment on ice patrol ships.

Ships Devices
Azimut, Aisberg, Iney, Shqual Aneroid-barometer, daily barograph, Assman psychrometer, MS-13 hand anemometer, ARI-49 induction hand anemometer, thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover
Lag, Lomonosov, Polyarnik, Yana Aneroid-barometer, week barograph, MS-13 hand anemometer, ARI-49 induction hand anemometer, psychrometric thermometers, thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover
Dmitry Laptev Aneroid-barometer, week barograph, Assman psychrometer, MS-13 hand anemometer, ARI-49 induction hand anemometer, M-63 anemorumbometer, thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover
Majak Aneroid-barometer, Assman psychrometer, psychrometric thermometers in meteorological box, MS-13 hand anemometer, ARI-49 induction hand anemometer, thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover, GM-6 aboard distant reading type meteorological station
Priboy, Stvor Aneroid-barometer, daily barograph, MS-13 hand anemometer, ARI-49 induction hand anemometer, psychrometric thermometers in meteorological box, Assman psychrometer, thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover
Toros Aneroid-barometer, daily barograph, Assman psychrometer , MS-13 hand anemometer, ARME-1m anemorumbometer, thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover
Shtorm Aneroid-barometer, daily barograph, Assman psychrometer, MS-13 hand anemometer, ARI-49 induction hand anemometer, thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover, GM-6 aboard distant reading type meteorological station

Hydrometeorological observations were performed at standard times (see Table 3) according to "Instruction for hydrometeorological stations and posts" (Iss. 9, Part III, 1955, 1967, 1976) and "Instruction for hydrometeorological stations and posts" (Iss. 9, Hydrometeorological observations over seas. Part II, Hydrometeorological observations at aboard stations for staff observers, Leningrad, Gidrometeoizdat, 1964, 367 pp.) Observations were taken instrumentally (for atmospheric pressure, air temperature and humidity, wind direction and speed, and sea surface temperature) and visually (for cloud amount, and atmospheric phenomena). These observations were performed while a ship was underway. No measurements were taken while at anchor.

Table 15. Ice patrol ship operation period and observation times.

Ship/operation period Observation times (MT indicates Moscow time. All observations on this Atlas were converted to GMT)

Azimut

13 Jul - 04 Oct 1960

09 Aug - 03 Oct 1961

05 Aug - 26 Sep 1962

18 Jul - 01 Oct 1964

21 Jul - 11 Oct 1965

18 Jul - 02 Oct 1966

31 Jul - 07 Oct 1967

26 Jul - 06 Oct 1968

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

03, 09, 15, 21 MT

Aisberg

13 Apr - 14 Jun 1976

00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT

Dmitry Laptev

06 Jun - 03 Oct 1980

19 Aug - 26 Sep 1981

23 Sep - 16 Oct 1982

00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT

00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT

00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT

Iney

31 Jul - 01 Oct 1968

from 31 Jul 68: 03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

from 6 Aug 68: 02, 06, 10, 14, 18, 22 MT

from 23 Sep 68: 01, 05, 09, 13, 17, 21 MT

Lag

03 Aug - 10 Oct 1952

30 Aug - 26 Sep 1953

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

Lomonosov

21 Jun - 21 Oct 1958

19 Jun - 11 Oct 1959

09 Jul - 12 Oct 1960

04 Jul - 14 Oct 1962

0, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

Majak

28 Aug - 14 Oct 1979

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

Polyarnik

29 Jul - 02 Oct 1953

01 Aug - 30 Oct 1954

21 Jul - 29 Sep 1955

21 Jul - 04 Oct 1956

24 Jul - 21 Sep 1957

24 Jul - 02 Oct 1958

22 Jul - 02 Oct 1959

21 Jun - 28 Aug 1972

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

Priboy

19 Jun - 16 Oct 1960

12 Jul - 22 Oct 1961

27 Jun - 12 Oct 1962

17 Jul - 19 Oct 1963

31 Jul - 26 Oct 1964

09 Jul - 07 Nov 1965

27 Jul - 23 Oct 1966

14 Aug - 8 Aug 1967

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

Stvor

30 Jul - 24 Sep 1979

15 Aug - 03 Oct 1980

01 Sep - 26 Sep 1981

00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT

00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT

00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT

Toros

17 Jul - 28 Oct 1953

16 Jul - 12 Oct 1954

12 Jul - 14 Oct 1955

01 Jul - 15 Oct 1956

02 Jul - 10 Oct 1957

15 Jul - 27 Sep 1958

20 Jul - 12 Oct 1959

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

Shtorm

26 Apr - 14 Jun 1959

20 Jul - 11 Oct 1961

08 Jul - 15 Oct 1962

27 Jul - 21 Oct 1963

06 Jul - 22 Oct 1964

08 Jul - 24 Oct 1965

06 Jul - 17 Oct 1966

08 Jul - 17 Oct 1967

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

00, 06, 12, 18 GMT

Shqual

27 Aug - 27 Sep 1959

05 Aug - 29 Sep 1960

01 Aug - 03 Oct 1961

13 Aug - 21 Sep 1963

03 Aug - 28 Sep 1964

31 Jul - 01 Oct 1969

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

Yana

24 Jul - 30 Sep 1969

15 Jul - 03 Oct 1970

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

03, 07, 11, 15, 19, 23 MT

The main sources of observation error while a ship is underway are the low measurement accuracy of most parameters in comparison with measurements performed at stationary and drifting stations, and the inability to repeat observations due to changes in measuring characteristics when the ship location changes.

Air temperature and humidity were usually measured on the upper bridge of the ship either by an Assman psychrometer or psychrometric thermometers. The psychrometer was put out on a special rod to take measurements (Table 16). Absolute and relative air humidity were calculated using standard psychrometric tables. Sea surface temperature was measured by thermometer in Schpandler's cover.

Air pressure was measured by an MD-49-2 aneroid barometer, placed in a room for hydrological measurements. Baric tendency (change in pressure) was defined by a daily or weekly barograph.

Table 16. Location of barometer and its height above sea level. Location and height of wind and temperature measurements.

Ship Place of barometer Height above sea level, m Location of temperature-wind equipment Height of equipment above sea level, m
Azimut Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 9.5
Aisberg Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 9.5
Dmitry Laptev Hydrological room 8 upper bridge 12
Iney Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 9.5
Lag Rudder house 5 upper bridge 9
Lomonosov Rudder house 5 upper bridge 9
Majak Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 10
Polyarnik Rudder house 5 upper bridge 9
Priboy Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 10
Stvor Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 10
Toros Rudder house 5 conning bridge 6
Shtorm Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 10
Shqual Hydrological room 6 upper bridge 9.5
Yana Rudder house 4 upper bridge 4-5

Wind direction and speed were observed from the upper bridge. Wind speed was measured as a rule by hand anemometer (100 s exposure time). Wind direction was measured by a wind cone on the upper bridge and by a compass repeater. Sometimes wind direction and speed was measured by GM-6 type meteorological station if it was aboard the ship. Clouds were observed visually from the upper bridge.

Observation procedure

Cloud cover

The amount and form of clouds were observed visually from the upper bridge 10 to 12 minutes before the synoptic observation time. Visibility was defined by scale in miles. Atmospheric phenomena were noted in the observer book.

Wind

Wind speed was measured by MS-13 hand anemometer (for wind speeds from 1 m/s to 20 m/s), or by ARI-49 induction hand anemometer (for wind speeds more than 20 m/s) five to six minutes before the observation time.

Air temperature

The psychrometer was put up on a special rack of 1.5 m height on the windward side of the upper bridge 10 to 15 minutes before the observation time. (When air temperature was below zero, this was changed to 20 to 25 minutes before the observation time). The cambric of the wet-bulb thermometer was moistened by distilled water and the suction apparatus was started four minutes before an observation. In frost conditions, the cambric was moistened and the suction apparatus was started 10 minutes before the observation time. Four minutes before the observation time, the suction apparatus was started once more. When the wind was strong a wind shield was used. At the observation time, temperature readings from both thermometers (with accuracy of 0.1 °C) were recorded. The cambric was changed every two weeks.

Sea surface temperature

After air temperature was recorded sea surface temperature was measured. A bucket was lowered overboard and filled with water, then put in shadow on deck. A covered thermometer was put in the bucket so that it did not contact the walls. The water was stirred by the thermometer until three nearly identical temperature readings were obtained. The last consistent temperature was entered into an observer book. The average thermometer exposure time in water was about three minutes. When the ship was anchored, temperature was measured directly by lowering a thermometer overboard into the water.

Atmospheric pressure

Atmospheric pressure and barometric tendency value (that is, the difference of pressure values measured at two successive observation times) were measured five to seven minutes after the synoptic observation time.

Initial processing

Meteorological observations were processed immediately after the observation time, and wind direction and speed calculated. The values of relative and absolute air humidity and dew point were calculated using standard psychrometric tables, taking into account the instrumental temperature correction for each individual thermometer. An instrumental correction to the water surface temperature reading was made when necessary. The four corrections taken into account in reading the aneroid barometer were: instrumental, temperature, height above sea level (MASL), and a constant correction for the individual barometer.

After the initial processing, TGM-15 tables were compiled, from which the data archive was formed.

Processing data for this Atlas

Synoptic observations from the TGM-15 tables of surface air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity, sea surface temperature, wind speed and direction and total cloud cover were digitized for this Atlas. Data were checked at AARI as described in the section "AARI Quality Control Methods".

General parameters of meteorological devices

Barometer-aneroid:  Measuring range, 600-800 mmHg; Measuring error due to temperature (from -10 °C up to +50 °C), ± 0.8 mmHg; Scale spacing, 1 mmHg.

TM-4 psychrometric thermometers:  Scale limits, - 35 to +40 and -25 to +50 °C; Scale spacing, 0.2 °C; Measuring error: when temperature range is +0 °C up to +50 °C not more than ± 0.2 °C; when temperature is below zero not more than ± 0.3 °C; when temperature is -35 °C not more than ± 0.4 °C.

Thermometer to measure water temperature in Schpandler's cover:   Scale limits, -2 to +32 °C; Scale spacing, 0.2 °C ; Measuring error, ± 0.3 °C.

Aspiration psychrometer:  The table below shows the error (percent) relative to air temperature and measured value of relative humidity.

Table 17. Error in measured relative humidity as a function of temperature and humidity.

Air temperature,° C

Relative humidity, percent

  100 80 20 10
30 1.5 2 5 9
20 2 3 7 14
10 3 4 11 20
0 4 6 17 35
-5 5 9 25 50
-10 7 12 35 70

MC-13 hand anemometer:  Measuring range, 1 - 20 m/s; Initial sensitivity, 0.8 m/s; Measuring error, m/s, 0.3+0.06V (V is average wind speed, m/s).

ARI-49 induction hand anemometer:  Measuring range, 2 - 30 m/s; precision, 1 m/s; Measuring error, m/s 0.5+0.05V; (V is average wind speed, m/s); Initial sensitivity, 1.5 m/s.

ARME-1m anemorumbometer:  Measuring range: Speed, 1.5 - 50 m/s; direction, 0 to 360 degrees; Measuring error: speed, m/s, 0.5+0.05V (V is average wind speed, m/s); Direction, ± 10°; Initial sensitivity of wind sensor for speed and direction, 1.2 m/s.

M-63M anemorumbometer:  Measuring range: instantaneous speed, 1.5 - 60 m/s; maximum speed, 3 - 60 m/s; average (within 10 minutes) speed, 1 - 40 m/s. Direction, 0 - 360 degrees. Measuring error: instantaneous speed, ± (0.5+0.05V) m/s; maximum speed, ± (0.5+0.05V) m/s; average (within 10 minutes) speed, ± (0.5+0.05V) m/s; (where V is average wind speed, m/s); direction, ± 10°. Initial sensitivity to speed, 0.6 m/s; to direction, ± 10°.

The GM-6 meteorological station was used to measure wind speed and direction, air temperature and humidity, water temperature (of overboard water aboard). Measuring range: average wind speed, 1.5 - 40 m/s; direction, 32 compass points; air humidity, 30 percent-100 percent; air temperature, -32 to +32 °C; water temperature, 2 to 32 °C. Measuring error: average wind speed less than 12 m/s, ± 1 m/s; more than 12 m/s, ± (0.5+0.05V) m/s; (V-average wind speed, m/s); wind direction ± 1 of 32 points of compass. Air humidity, when temperature is above zero, ± 10 percent; when temperature is between 0 ° C and -10 °C, ± 15 percent; air temperature, ± 0.5 °C; water temperature, ± 0.3 °C.