TY - JOUR N2 - This paper presents the first results of measurements of global solar radiation, albedo, ground surface and 2−m air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction carried out in the central part of Spitsbergen Island in the period 2008–2010. The study site was located on the coastal ice−free zone of Petuniabukta (north−western branch of Billefjorden), which was strongly affected by local topography, character of the ground surface, and sea ice extent. Temporal analysis of the selected meteorological parameters shows both strong seasonal and inter−diurnal variation affected by synoptic−scale weather systems, channelling and drainage effects of the fjords and surrounding glaciers. The prevailing pattern of atmospheric circulation primarily determined the variation in global solar radiation, wind speed, ground surface and 2−m air temperatures. Furthermore, it was found that thermal differences between Petuniabukta and the nearest meteorological station (Svalbard Lufthavn) differ significantly due to differences in sea ice concentrations and ice types in the fjords during the winter and spring months. L1 - http://www.journals.pan.pl/Content/99529/PDF/v10183-012-0025-0.pdf L2 - http://www.journals.pan.pl/Content/99529 PY - 2012 IS - No 4 EP - 318 DO - 10.2478/v10183−012−0025−0 KW - Arctic KW - Svalbard KW - climate KW - temperature KW - solar radiation A1 - Láska, Kamil A1 - Witoszová, Denisa A1 - Prošek, Pavel PB - Polish Academy of Sciences PB - Committee on Polar Research DA - 2012 T1 - Weather patterns of the coastal zone of Petuniabukta, central Spitsbergen in the period 2008–2010 SP - 297 UR - http://www.journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/99529 T2 - Polish Polar Research ER -