The 1st Polar Winter School on Snow Measurements and Arctic Air Pollution was co-organized by the UArctic Thematic Networks on High Latitude Dust (HLD) and Nordic Snow Network with the Czech University of Life Sciences and Agricultural University of Iceland in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, on 22-28 April 2024. Thematic lectures and trainings focused on snow hydrology, glaciology, air pollution, avalanche safety, and local Polar environment were given by the experts from Finland, Czech Republic, Iceland, and Svalbard. The school could have accommodated only about a half of all applicants unfortunately.

Arctic air pollution was both measured in situ as particulate matter concentrations and collected as Light Absorbing Impurities from snow and glacial surfaces. In addition, spectral reflectance measurements of dirty/clean snow/ice surfaces was measured and aerosol measurements distinguished for dust and Black Carbon. Students worked both with datasets and instruments and implemented remote sensing methods.

Snow hydrology and snow physics were examined in various snow pits while a detailed snow depth survey was made for the whole Longyearbreen glacier. Avalanche safety training is highly relevant for steep fjords of Svalbard and students learned a maximum about how to understand the avalanche terrain. The newest research and implication on Svalbard glaciers and their changes in recent climate was introduced and hands-on exercises done in the glacial environment and inside the glacier.

The lecturers were Roman Juras, Leena Leppanen, Jan Kavan, Ali Nadir Arslan, Outi Meinander, Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserová, Pavel Krajci, and Eero Rinne. Additionally, Tom Junek and Vojtech Moravec documented all activities. See the video here (you can turn on EN and other language subtitles):

Students are working on a final scientific paper based on the in situ data obtained during the school. The 2nd Polar Winter School will be organized in Hvanneyri, Iceland on 3-7 March 2025.