Influence of Foehn‐Like Winds on Near‐Surface Temperature at Jang Bogo Station, Terra Nova Bay, East Antarctica

The coast of Terra Nova Bay (TNB) is known as one of the intense katabatic wind confluence zones in Antarctica. Strong westerly winds with topography‐specific foehn effects (foehn‐like winds, FLWs) could have influenced surface temperatures in this area downwind of the Transantarctic Mountains, yet their impact remains unstudied. Jang Bogo Station (JBS) in TNB has weak winds year‐round, with occasional strong winds causing significant winter temperature increases. This study aims to investigate the FLWs and their recent variability in occurrence at JBS in terms of surface temperature variability. During the strong wind events, the surface warms due to foehn effects such as adiabatic heating and vertical mixing. FLWs occur approximately 16% (10%) of the time in winter (annually). FLWs are caused by cyclones in the eastern Ross Sea. Meteorological records for 2015–2022 revealed an increased FLW frequency, particularly in winter, which has increased temperatures in recent years. Plain Language Summary Foehn is mainly related to winds ascending along high mountains, and the resulting descending winds make the air warm and dry on the mountain's leeward side. They significantly contribute to rising surface temperature and melting ice shelf in Antarctica. Foehn‐like winds (FLWs), different from typical foehn but with the same effect, were speculated to occur on the coasts of Terra Nova Bay (TNB), Ross Sea, which are known to have intense katabatic winds (strong and cold air blowing along a slope inland to the coast) year‐round because most coastal areas are located downwind of the Transantarctic Mountains. This study investigated whether strong inland winds are foehn‐like and related to the recent temperature increase at Jang Bogo Station in TNB. We found that the downward strong westerly winds from inland are foehn‐like, and their increase in frequency has increased the surface temperature at Jang Bogo Station over the last 8 years. Large‐scale cyclones in the eastern Ross Sea are responsible for FLWs. The change in FLW frequency may imply atmospheric circulation changes over the Ross Sea. Key Points The study showed that the foehn effect is significant when strong inland winds blow from west, particularly in winter The recent rise in winter temperatures is related to an increase in the frequency of foehn‐like wind above Synoptic scale cyclones centered in the eastern Ross Sea cause foehn‐like winds at Jang Bogo Station