Accession Number:

AD0729350

Title:

Environmental Guide for Arctic Testing Activities at Fort Greely, Alaska

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY NATICK LABS MA EARTH SCIENCES LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Sands, Richard D.
• Ohman, Howard L.
• Sanger, Fred J.

Report Date:

1971-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

96.0

Abstract:

The physical environment of the Fort Greely area is analyzed and evaluated with special reference given to the significance of climate, terrain, and vegetation on testing activities at the various courses and ranges of the test site. Cold spells under -25 and -40F are studied for their frequency and duration of occurrence at the test areas. It is shown that there is considerable variation in minimum temperature within the area, with Bolio Lake, for example, often being 10 to 15F colder than the main weather station. Differences within one mile may be as great as 40F on some calm, clear winter nights. Even under these conditions, however, temperatures suitable for cold testing are not reached on very many nights, and a temperature of -70F, the design temperature given in Army Regulation 70-38 for extreme cold, has never been attained. The change of a minimum of -25F, the uppermost temperature acceptable for cold tests, is only one in fifteen for any given date between 13 November and 18 March at the main station. Visibility restrictions such as ice fog, blowing dust, and snow are occasionally present during the winter season. Solar and lunar illuminations are discussed and a table of the phases of the moon through 1980 is presented.

Descriptors:

• *CLIMATOLOGY
• *COLD WEATHER TESTS
• MILITARY FACILITIES
• ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE
• TERRAIN
• DUST
• SNOW
• FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• VISIBILITY
• TEST FACILITIES
• PLANTS(BOTANY)
• ICE FOG

Subject Categories:

• Meteorology
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE