Abstract: Using observation data from 2000—2019, this study analyzes the characteristics of meteorological elements near the Zhongshan Ice and Snow Airport, East Antarctica. These data are combined with captain reports from “Snow Eagle 601” to determine the multi-time scale characteristics of days with visibility of <5 km, days with runway crosswinds of ≥6 force level, and days meeting the flight conditions. There are significant seasonal differences in the statistical relationships between the meteorological elements. The visibility at the airport is generally good, but there are more cloudy days, with only 13%~37.6% of the days being sunny each month. On average, there are 2~3 and 2~5 days each month with low visibility and runway crosswinds, respectively, and the number of flyable days is higher in December and January, with an average of about 8 d. The low visibility is typically caused by the presence of a circumpolar cyclone in the north and a weak anticyclone in the south, leading to the convergence of cold and warm air at the airport. Southeastward and easterly runway crosswinds correspond to extreme katabatic winds and cyclonic gales, respectively. In summer, when the polar high pressure is weak, there are more days with low visibility; however, the flying conditions are better.

Key words: aviation meteorological elements, multi-time scale variations,  Zhongshan Ice and Snow Airport, Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica