This grant constitutes the first attempt to use the new satellite imaging facilities at McMurdo and Scripps Institute of Oceanography for research purposes. Several studies of the surface winds of West Antarctica will be undertaken; the satellite data will be supplemented by all available surface and upper air data. Specific topics to be addressed include: 1. Delineation of the time-averaged and time dependent surface airflow patterns over West Antarctica. 2. Description of the space-time characteristics of katabatic surges and their precursors in the Siple Coast confluence zone. 3. Definitions of the characteristics and conditions under which katabatic surges from Siple Coast propagate northward along the Transantarctic Mountains to reach Ross Island. Objective 3. has promise of developing into a method of midterm forecasting (12 hr) of considerable operational value. The Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State University is well equipped to carry out these studies.
