Characteristic features of clouds in Antarctica as observed at Syowa Station

The relationship between atmospheric conditions and cloud types in Antarctica was investigated on the basis of aerological data at Syowa Station in 1979 and 1980. When a low pressure passed near Syowa Station, type I clouds in which the vertical profile of temperature was nearly moist adiabatic were most popular. These clouds were formed in both January and July. Type II clouds which were found in an isothermal layer were frequently observed in July, but they hardly appeared in January. Clouds of this type are characteristic and interesting clouds in the polar regions. One of the reasons why the number of cloudy days in July was more than that in January would be due to the appearance of type II clouds in July