Daily Weather in Nuuk, Greenland

Greenland’s capital city is Nuuk.  The 5-day forecast for Nuuk will cover the following days: March 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th.  The forecasted high for the 21^st is 14 degrees Fahrenheit, the forecasted low is 9 degrees Fahrenheit and the precipitation percentage is 0%  The forecasted high for 22^nd is 16 degrees Fahrenheit, the forecasted low is, 8 degrees Fahrenheit and the precipitation percentage is 0%  The forecasted high for 23^rd is 13 degrees Fahrenheit, the forecasted low is 7 degrees Fahrenheit and the precipitation percentage is 0%  The forecasted high for the 24^th is 14 degrees Fahrenheit, the forecasted low is 9 degrees Fahrenheit and the precipitation percentage is 30%  The forecasted high for the 25^th is 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the forecasted low is 10 degrees Fahrenheit and the precipitation percentage is 10%

As apparent from the image there is no cloud coverage over Nuuk, Greenland (indicated by the red mark).  However, South of the capital Nuuk, there seems to be large cluster of high and cold clouds-indicated by the blue on the map.  It is fairly normal for Nuuk to not have any cloud coverage during this time because typically on the 24^th of March, Nuuk experiences the clearest sky of the year.  Usually, the cloud coverage in Nuuk is around 87% annually.  The terrain of Nuuk is characterized by a barren rocky coast, with various inlets connecting from the ocean.

The region this map illustrates is Eastern Canada; this is the closest region to Greenland.  Over this region there are low pressure systems.  There is also the presence of an occluded front that connects with a warm front.  An occluded front is when a cool front overtakes a warm front.  This is correct as it is apparent that the occluded front emerges from the warm front that is over the ocean.  A warm front is when temperatures change from cold to warm after a frontal passage.

The region this map illustrates is North America, and even though it is broader in range, it provides a better picture of weather patterns in Greenland.  Over the Greenland region there are high pressure systems.  Over the Northeastern part of the North America there are low pressure systems with warm and occluded fronts.  More towards the central part of North America there are cold fronts and the western part of North America is characterized by high pressure systems and stationary fronts.  Like on the eastern coast of North America the western coast is characterized by low pressure systems and occluded fronts emerging from warm fronts.  

Info retrieved from: http://weatherspark.com/averages/27548/Nuuk-Godthab-Kitaa-Greenland, http://www.intellicast.com/Global/Surface.aspx?region=neeur and http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:00000.1.04250?MR=1

Global and Local Winds in Greenland

The latitude and longitude coordinates of Greenland are 72.0000° N, 40.0000° W.  Greenland is located in Northern hemisphere, just slightly above North America.  The atmospheric cell that encompasses Greenland is the Polar cell in the Northern Hemisphere.  The prevailing wind direction is from the Northeast, specifically from the North Polar area.  Greenland is characterized by the polar easterly wind belt.  The main pressure belt that Greenland is located on is the subpolar low pressure belt.   Greenland is also located near the polar front.  This is an area that is characterized by low pressure and is the boundary between the polar cell and the ferrel cell; it is also where tropical air converges with cold polar air causing a large incline in temperature.

Greenland is located on the subpolar low, this is where surface air converges and rises as a result there are many storms and clouds in this region.  The Northern part of Greenland, because it is located in the polar high is characterized by cold and dry air.  The Southern part of Greenland, because it’s located in the polar low, is characterized by warm and moist air.  The prevailing winds that are common in Greenland are the polar easterlies that come from the northeast, as a result cold air moves across Greenland making the average temperature sub-freezing.  Windward winds are also common in Greenland.  Since Greenland is located near the polar front this area is characterized by an incline in temperature.

http://tle.westone.wa.gov.au/content/file/eee657a8-0bf7-fea2-f67b-be1d62609242/1/1251_Geography_3b.zip/content/001_natural_systems/images/pic015.gif

Greenland is characterized by many mountain ranges some include: Gunnbjorn's Fjeld, Mont Forel and Mount Patuersoq.  Valley winds, katabatic winds, Chinook winds, Santa Ana winds, and Desert Winds are all common winds associated with Mountain ranges.  Greenland’s mountain ranges however, only experience Chinook winds, katabatic winds and valley winds.  The two types of coastline breezes are land breezes and sea breezes.  The most common type of coastline breeze in Greenland is sea breeze.  These winds are very strong in the morning, and common in the fjord region, a narrow inlet with steep cliffs.

*Info retrieved from: “Essentials of Meteorology,”  http://www.peakware.com/areas.html?area=323  and http://www.greenland.com/en/plan-your-trip/practical-travel-info.aspx