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The islands have an [[Arctic climate]]. It has higher temperatures than other areas that far north. In summer, the plants grow quickly during the [[midnight sun]]. Svalbard is a breeding ground for many seabirds. There are also [[polar bear]]s, [[reindeer]], and [[mammal]]s that live in the sea. Seven [[national park]]s and 23 [[nature reserve]]s cover two-thirds of Svalbard. This protects the fragile natural environment. Sixty percent of land is covered by [[glacier]]s, and the islands have many mountains and [[fjord]]s.
The islands have an [[Arctic climate]]. It has higher temperatures than other areas that far north. In summer, the plants grow quickly during the [[midnight sun]]. Svalbard is a breeding ground for many seabirds. There are also [[polar bear]]s, [[reindeer]], and [[mammal]]s that live in the sea. Seven [[national park]]s and 23 [[nature reserve]]s cover two-thirds of Svalbard. This protects the fragile natural environment. Sixty percent of land is covered by [[glacier]]s, and the islands have many mountains and [[fjord]]s.


==Climate==
Svalbard's climate is a combination of an Arctic climate ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ET) tempered by the North Atlantic Current. Nordenskiöld Land is the warmest and wettest part of the archipelago, caused by the convergence of mild and humid air from the south and cold air from the north. Average summer highs are typically {{convert|3|to|7|C|F}} while average winter highs are {{convert|−11|to|−13|C|F}}.<ref name="climate">{{cite web |url=http://svalbard.nordicvisitor.com/travel-guide/climate-and-daylight/ |title=Climate and daylight in Svalbard (Longyearbyen) |accessdate=15 March 2012 |publisher=NordicVisitor |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66B8Ceice |archivedate=15 March 2012 |deadurl=no}}</ref> Svalbard experiences [[midnight sun]] from 19 April through 23 August, [[polar night]] from 27 October through 14 February and civil polar night from 14 November through 29 January. However, due to shading from mountains, the sun is not visible in Svalbard until around 8 March.<ref name="sunreturns">{{cite web |url=http://suncurves.com/en/v/7188/ |title=Sunrise and sunset times for Longyearbyen |accessdate=28 April 2014 |publisher=[http://suncurves.com/ Suncurves]}}</ref> Snow typically covers the town from November through March. The warmest temperature ever record in Svalbard was an extraordinary {{convert|25.0|C|F}} in July 1977 and the coldest was a frigid {{convert|-46.3|C|F}} in March 1986.<ref>http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/ws-10080.html</ref>

Despite its extreme northerly location, Svalbard has recorded a temperature above freezing in all months. One example was in February 2012, when the mild temperatures had an affect on both people and wildlife. The climate is known to be warming very rapidly. Svalbard has also not recorded a temperature below freezing in July.<ref>http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fast-warming-arctic-proves-deadly-to-animals-and-people/</ref>

Warm temperatures can occasionally occur in Summer. The most recent warm spell was at the end of July to the beginning of August in 2015, when the mercury hit {{convert|18.0|C|F}}.<ref>http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/07-2015/ws-10080.html</ref>

Bjornoya (Bear Island) holds the record for the lowest average annual sunshine total in Europe, at just 595 hours, sunnier than some parts of Scotland.<ref>http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/o/i/Fact_sheet_No._9_Updated.pdf</ref> Conversely, Longyearbyen, further to the north-west, recieves almost twice as much sunshine as Bjornoya.<ref>http://www.svalbard.climatemps.com/sunlight.php</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Longyearbyen, Svalbard
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 7.7
|Feb record high C = 7.0
|Mar record high C = 6.3
|Apr record high C = 7.5
|May record high C = 10.6
|Jun record high C = 15.7
|Jul record high C = 25.0
|Aug record high C = 18.1
|Sep record high C = 15.2
|Oct record high C = 8.9
|Nov record high C = 7.5
|Dec record high C = 7.2
|year record high C = 25.0
|Jan high C = -13.0
|Feb high C = -13.0
|Mar high C = -13.0
|Apr high C = -9.0
|May high C = -3.0
|Jun high C = 3.0
|Jul high C = 7.0
|Aug high C = 6.0
|Sep high C = 1.0
|Oct high C = -4.0
|Nov high C = -8.0
|Dec high C = -11.0
|Jan mean C = -16.5
|Feb mean C = -17.0
|Mar mean C = -16.5
|Apr mean C = -12.5
|May mean C = -5.0
|Jun mean C = 1.0
|Jul mean C = 5.0
|Aug mean C = 4.0
|Sep mean C = -1.0
|Oct mean C = -6.5
|Nov mean C = -11.0
|Dec mean C = -14.5
|Jan low C = -20.0
|Feb low C = -21.0
|Mar low C = -20.0
|Apr low C = -16.0
|May low C = -7.0
|Jun low C = -1.0
|Jul low C = 3.0
|Aug low C = 2.0
|Sep low C = -3.0
|Oct low C = -9.0
|Nov low C = -14.0
|Dec low C = -18.0
|Jan record low C = -38.8
|Feb record low C = -43.7
|Mar record low C = -46.3
|Apr record low C = -39.1
|May record low C = -21.7
|Jun record low C = -8.4
|Jul record low C = 0.2
|Aug record low C = -3.9
|Sep record low C = -12.6
|Oct record low C = -20.8
|Nov record low C = -33.2
|Dec record low C = -35.6
|Jan precipitation mm = 22
|Feb precipitation mm = 28
|Mar precipitation mm = 29
|Apr precipitation mm = 16
|May precipitation mm = 13
|Jun precipitation mm = 18
|Jul precipitation mm = 24
|Aug precipitation mm = 30
|Sep precipitation mm = 25
|Oct precipitation mm = 19
|Nov precipitation mm = 22
|Dec precipitation mm = 25
|unit rain days= 1 mm
|Jan rain days= 2
|Feb rain days= 2
|Mar rain days= 2
|Apr rain days= 3
|May rain days= 4
|Jun rain days= 13
|Jul rain days= 17
|Aug rain days= 18
|Sep rain days= 14
|Oct rain days= 5
|Nov rain days= 3
|Dec rain days= 3
|year rain days= 86
|unit snow days= 1 cm
|Jan snow days= 21
|Feb snow days= 17
|Mar snow days= 19
|Apr snow days= 17
|May snow days= 16
|Jun snow days= 7
|Jul snow days= 1
|Aug snow days= 2
|Sep snow days= 11
|Oct snow days= 21
|Nov snow days= 22
|Dec snow days= 22
|Jan sun= 0.0
|Feb sun= 0.0
|Mar sun= 77.5
|Apr sun= 228.0
|May sun= 254.2
|Jun sun= 165.0
|Jul sun= 155.0
|Aug sun= 133.3
|Sep sun= 75.0
|Oct sun= 12.4
|Nov sun= 0.0
|Dec sun= 0.0
|source 1 = Climate and daylight in Svalbard (Longyearbyen)<ref name=climate>{{cite web |url=http://svalbard.nordicvisitor.com/travel-guide/climate-and-daylight/|title=Climate and daylight in Svalbard (Longyearbyen)|accessdate=May 2011|publisher=NordicVisitor}}</ref>
|date=May 2011
|source 2 = (extremes only),<ref name = UNIS>
{{cite web
| last = Sjöblom
| first = Anna
| url = http://www.unis.no/48_HSE/Info%20Lessons/Weather/safety_weather.pdf
| title = Weather Conditions on Svalbard
| accessdate = June 13, 2015}}</ref> (rain days & snow only)<ref>http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Norway/Longyearbyen/climate-profile.aspx?month=7</ref> (sun only)<ref>http://www.svalbard.climatemps.com/sunlight.php</ref>
}}
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 22:50, 21 August 2015

Svalbard
Flag of Svalbard
Flag
Coat of arms of Svalbard
Coat of arms
Location of Svalbard
Capital
and largest city
Longyearbyen
Official languagesNorwegian
Ethnic groups
GovernmentRegion of Norway
• Governor
Odd Olsen Ingerø (2009–)
Area
• Total
61,022 km2 (23,561 sq mi)
Population
• 2012[1] estimate
2,642
CurrencyNorwegian krone (NOK)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+2 (CEST)
Calling code+47
Internet TLD.no a
  1. .sj allocated but not used.[2]

Svalbard is a group of islands in the Arctic Ocean. It is the most northern part of Norway. It is about halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Spitsbergen is the largest island, followed by Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. The islands are governed by the Governor of Svalbard. The government is located at Longyearbyen. Other settlements include research outposts, the Russian mining community of Barentsburg, the research community of Ny-Ålesund and the mining outpost of Sveagruva.

The islands were first used as a whaling base in the 17th and 18th centuries. After this, they were abandoned. Coal mining started at the beginning of the 20th century, and several permanent villages were built. The Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920 states that Norway is in control of Svalbard. The 1925 Svalbard Act made Svalbard part of Norway. These treaties also set out rules that economic activities could be done freely and that no military activities can take place. There are only two mining companies, one Norwegian and one Russian. Research and tourism are important industries. There are no roads to connect the settlements. Instead, snowmobiles, aircraft and boats serve as transport. Svalbard Airport in Longyearbyen is the main airport.

The islands have an Arctic climate. It has higher temperatures than other areas that far north. In summer, the plants grow quickly during the midnight sun. Svalbard is a breeding ground for many seabirds. There are also polar bears, reindeer, and mammals that live in the sea. Seven national parks and 23 nature reserves cover two-thirds of Svalbard. This protects the fragile natural environment. Sixty percent of land is covered by glaciers, and the islands have many mountains and fjords.

Climate

Svalbard's climate is a combination of an Arctic climate (Köppen: ET) tempered by the North Atlantic Current. Nordenskiöld Land is the warmest and wettest part of the archipelago, caused by the convergence of mild and humid air from the south and cold air from the north. Average summer highs are typically 3 to 7 °C (37 to 45 °F) while average winter highs are −11 to −13 °C (12 to 9 °F).[3] Svalbard experiences midnight sun from 19 April through 23 August, polar night from 27 October through 14 February and civil polar night from 14 November through 29 January. However, due to shading from mountains, the sun is not visible in Svalbard until around 8 March.[4] Snow typically covers the town from November through March. The warmest temperature ever record in Svalbard was an extraordinary 25.0 °C (77.0 °F) in July 1977 and the coldest was a frigid −46.3 °C (−51.3 °F) in March 1986.[5]

Despite its extreme northerly location, Svalbard has recorded a temperature above freezing in all months. One example was in February 2012, when the mild temperatures had an affect on both people and wildlife. The climate is known to be warming very rapidly. Svalbard has also not recorded a temperature below freezing in July.[6]

Warm temperatures can occasionally occur in Summer. The most recent warm spell was at the end of July to the beginning of August in 2015, when the mercury hit 18.0 °C (64.4 °F).[7]

Bjornoya (Bear Island) holds the record for the lowest average annual sunshine total in Europe, at just 595 hours, sunnier than some parts of Scotland.[8] Conversely, Longyearbyen, further to the north-west, recieves almost twice as much sunshine as Bjornoya.[9]

Climate data for Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 7.7
(45.9) 		7.0
(44.6) 		6.3
(43.3) 		7.5
(45.5) 		10.6
(51.1) 		15.7
(60.3) 		25.0
(77.0) 		18.1
(64.6) 		15.2
(59.4) 		8.9
(48.0) 		7.5
(45.5) 		7.2
(45.0) 		25.0
(77.0)
Average high °C (°F) −13.0
(8.6) 		−13.0
(8.6) 		−13.0
(8.6) 		−9.0
(15.8) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		3.0
(37.4) 		7.0
(44.6) 		6.0
(42.8) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−4.7
(23.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −16.5
(2.3) 		−17.0
(1.4) 		−16.5
(2.3) 		−12.5
(9.5) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		1.0
(33.8) 		5.0
(41.0) 		4.0
(39.2) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		−6.5
(20.3) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−14.5
(5.9) 		−7.5
(18.4)
Average low °C (°F) −20.0
(−4.0) 		−21.0
(−5.8) 		−20.0
(−4.0) 		−16.0
(3.2) 		−7.0
(19.4) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		3.0
(37.4) 		2.0
(35.6) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		−9.0
(15.8) 		−14.0
(6.8) 		−18.0
(−0.4) 		−10.3
(13.4)
Record low °C (°F) −38.8
(−37.8) 		−43.7
(−46.7) 		−46.3
(−51.3) 		−39.1
(−38.4) 		−21.7
(−7.1) 		−8.4
(16.9) 		0.2
(32.4) 		−3.9
(25.0) 		−12.6
(9.3) 		−20.8
(−5.4) 		−33.2
(−27.8) 		−35.6
(−32.1) 		−46.3
(−51.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 22
(0.9) 		28
(1.1) 		29
(1.1) 		16
(0.6) 		13
(0.5) 		18
(0.7) 		24
(0.9) 		30
(1.2) 		25
(1.0) 		19
(0.7) 		22
(0.9) 		25
(1.0) 		271
(10.6)
Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 2 2 2 3 4 13 17 18 14 5 3 3 86
Average snowy days (≥ 1 cm) 21 17 19 17 16 7 1 2 11 21 22 22 176
Mean monthly sunshine hours 0.0 0.0 77.5 228.0 254.2 165.0 155.0 133.3 75.0 12.4 0.0 0.0 1,100.4
Source 1: Climate and daylight in Svalbard (Longyearbyen)[3]
Source 2: (extremes only),[10] (rain days & snow only)[11] (sun only)[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Population in the settlements. Svalbard". Statistics Norway. 22 October 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "The .bv and .sj top level domains". Norid. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Climate and daylight in Svalbard (Longyearbyen)". NordicVisitor. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "climate" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ "Sunrise and sunset times for Longyearbyen". Suncurves. Retrieved 28 April 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ↑ http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/ws-10080.html
  6. ↑ http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fast-warming-arctic-proves-deadly-to-animals-and-people/
  7. ↑ http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/07-2015/ws-10080.html
  8. ↑ http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/o/i/Fact_sheet_No._9_Updated.pdf
  9. ↑ http://www.svalbard.climatemps.com/sunlight.php
  10. ↑ Sjöblom, Anna. "Weather Conditions on Svalbard" (PDF). Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  11. ↑ http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Norway/Longyearbyen/climate-profile.aspx?month=7
  12. ↑ http://www.svalbard.climatemps.com/sunlight.php

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