Characterizing observed surface wind speed in the Hudson Bay and Labrador regions of Canada from an aviation perspective
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SPECIAL ISSUE: BIOMETEOROLOGICAL INSIGHTS FROM THE STUDENTS & NEW PROFESSIONALS OF THE ISB
Characterizing observed surface wind speed in the Hudson Bay and Labrador regions of Canada from an aviation perspective Andrew C. W. Leung 1
&
William A. Gough 1
&
Ken A. Butler 2 & Tanzina Mohsin 1
&
Micah J. Hewer 1
Received: 6 March 2020 / Revised: 26 August 2020 / Accepted: 7 September 2020 # ISB 2020
Abstract Wind speed analysis is important for informing airport operation and safety. Many communities in the Hudson Bay and Labrador regions (Canada) are remote communities that rely heavily on aircraft for passenger and freight movement. Historical trends in average daily wind speed and maximum daily wind speed from 1971 to 2010 were examined to identify patterns of change and determine how these changes may influence aviation in six northern communities across Hudson Bay and Labrador in Canada. Significant increases in average wind speed and maximum wind speed were found for some of the months and seasons of the year for the Hudson Bay region, along with a significant decrease in those variables for the Labrador communities. Average wind speeds at multiple locations are approaching the threshold (18.5 km/h or 10 knots) when take-off and landing would be restricted to one direction. The results of this study agree with previous research that examined historical patterns for wind speed in these regions but calls into question climate change impact assessments that suggest wind speeds will continue to increase under future climatic conditions for this study area. Future research is needed to further analyse shifts in prevailing wind directions and changes in the frequency of extreme wind conditions, to better understand the potential impacts of projected climate change on this climatic variable and the implications these changes may have on applied sectors, such as aviation. Keywords Time series analysis . Northern Canada . Nunavik . Airports . Air transportation . Climate change
Introduction Travel in northern Canadian communities is being impacted by climate change. In the James Bay region, a warmer environment has resulted in a shorter operational period for ice roads in winter (Hori et al. 2017) and a longer window for re-supply of goods by ships in summer (Prowse et al. 2009). Many remote communities continue to rely on air travel for year-round transportation, delivering perishable goods and medical evacuation (medivac). However, aviation in the Canadian north faces greater risks than in the south. Gultepe et al. (2015) reported * Andrew C. W. Leung [email protected] 1
Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
2
Department of Computer & Mathematical Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
that 27% of all aviation accidents were weather-related. Aviation accidents were 25 times higher in the Canadian north and fatalities were 18 times more
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