High-frequency, hourly, and daily measurements from Canada Glacier Meteorological Station (CAAM), McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica (1994-2024, ongoing)

As part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research program, a spatially distributed, long-term climate monitoring network was established across the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Antarctica, consisting of fourteen research-grade weather stations that continuously measure a standard suite of environmental parameters. Ecosystem processes in this region are strongly regulated by climatic drivers that exhibit high variability across both time and space, making accurate measurement of environmental variables at high temporal and spatial resolution essential to understanding the biophysical dynamics of this polar desert ecosystem. This data package includes measurements from the Canada Glacier Meteorological Station (CAAM), which was established in 1994 within the ablation zone of Canada Glacier, between the Hoare and Fryxell Basins of Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Parameters include air temperature, relative humidity, incoming and outgoing shortwave radiation, wind speed and direction, and surface (snow/ice) temperature. Data are provided at high frequency (typically 15-minute intervals), along with hourly and daily summaries. Users should note that summary statistics may be affected by periods of missing data. Since there is no universally accepted standard for handling gaps in time-series data, users are encouraged to work with the high-frequency data and establish their own criteria for acceptable data completeness to minimize any potential bias.