24
3 Study Area
360 .---,,-.---r'-'-7nr7-.~-.~-.~.-~nr-.-.-'
270
~ 180
~ 90
c:
o
· u 270
~ 180
'6 90
"0
.!: 270
::: 180
90
0 +---~~--~~~~~--~~+_~¥J~~_1--_+--~
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jut Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
v
0>
0>
Ii)
0>
0>
0>
Fig. 3.2.7 Wind direction in the years of observation at the station of Norderney. data courtesy
of the DWD
The year 1994
With an average temperature of 10 DC, 1994 was the fourth warmest year since the
start of regular meteorological recordings in 1850. The summer was unusually hot
with low cloud cover and extreme dryness. From mid April to the beginning of
August only gentle breezes occurred. July 1994 was one of the rare months with a
high number of sunshine hours (more than 1800 hours, MURSYS 1994). The development of the temperature at the water surface of the North Sea was mainly
similar to the years before. Only July showed an anomaly with an increase of the
water temperature of over 4.2 DC (MURSYS 1994).
The year 1995
The temperatures in 1995 were higher in comparison to the long-term averages,
just as in the year before (long-term averages = monthly average over the last 30
years, MURSYS 1995). The temperatures in February, July, August and October
had a positive temperature deviation of up to 3 DC from the mean. In March and
April storms occurred with maximum wind force between 6 and 7. During the
summer months the wind direction changed often, but the wind speed remained at
a low level. Autumn and winter of this year were characterized by a long-lasting
high pressure period with varying cloud cover and predominantly gentle breezes
from different directions. The air temperature decreased at the end of the year to
values below freezing point and the water temperature was around 0 dc.
The year 1996
The year 1996 was I DC colder than the 30-year average (1961-1990). It was the
fourth coldest year since 1971 (MURSYS 1996). The winter temperatures were not
exceptionally low, but stayed low for three months (Strobing 1996). Therefore the
longest ice period for 33 years occurred in 1996 (ice winter). The wind situation in
the beginning of the year was extremely unusual. Easterly winds dominated and
the wind speed was lower than in the previous years. No storms occurred during
this time. Water temperatures (0-2 DC) were low until the middle of March, then
3 Study Area
360 .---,,-.---r'-'-7nr7-.~-.~-.~.-~nr-.-.-'
270
~ 180
~ 90
c:
o
· u 270
~ 180
'6 90
"0
.!: 270
::: 180
90
0 +---~~--~~~~~--~~+_~¥J~~_1--_+--~
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jut Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
v
0>
0>
Ii)
0>
0>
0>
Fig. 3.2.7 Wind direction in the years of observation at the station of Norderney. data courtesy
of the DWD
The year 1994
With an average temperature of 10 DC, 1994 was the fourth warmest year since the
start of regular meteorological recordings in 1850. The summer was unusually hot
with low cloud cover and extreme dryness. From mid April to the beginning of
August only gentle breezes occurred. July 1994 was one of the rare months with a
high number of sunshine hours (more than 1800 hours, MURSYS 1994). The development of the temperature at the water surface of the North Sea was mainly
similar to the years before. Only July showed an anomaly with an increase of the
water temperature of over 4.2 DC (MURSYS 1994).
The year 1995
The temperatures in 1995 were higher in comparison to the long-term averages,
just as in the year before (long-term averages = monthly average over the last 30
years, MURSYS 1995). The temperatures in February, July, August and October
had a positive temperature deviation of up to 3 DC from the mean. In March and
April storms occurred with maximum wind force between 6 and 7. During the
summer months the wind direction changed often, but the wind speed remained at
a low level. Autumn and winter of this year were characterized by a long-lasting
high pressure period with varying cloud cover and predominantly gentle breezes
from different directions. The air temperature decreased at the end of the year to
values below freezing point and the water temperature was around 0 dc.
The year 1996
The year 1996 was I DC colder than the 30-year average (1961-1990). It was the
fourth coldest year since 1971 (MURSYS 1996). The winter temperatures were not
exceptionally low, but stayed low for three months (Strobing 1996). Therefore the
longest ice period for 33 years occurred in 1996 (ice winter). The wind situation in
the beginning of the year was extremely unusual. Easterly winds dominated and
the wind speed was lower than in the previous years. No storms occurred during
this time. Water temperatures (0-2 DC) were low until the middle of March, then