Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 7; DENMARK; MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4.pdf/14

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4

aspects of the climate are substantially improved in summer, with decreased cloudiness, better visibility, lower relative humidity, and a generally mild, pleasant condition. The spring (March through May) and autumn (September through November) seasons are transitional in nature, with autumn slightly more mild and more rainy than spring.

Winters are generally cold; mean daily maximum temperatures are in the middle or upper 30's (°F) and mean daily minimums are near or below freezing. Frosts are frequent. The lowest readings occur when outbreaks of cold continental air send temperatures plummeting to near or below zero, especially in the interior sections. Usually, however, the cold spells are well interspersed between the string of migratory lows and highs. The high winter relative humidity, persistently in the 80's (%) or 90's, creates a penetrating dampness which is alleviated only during the infrequent invasions of drier air from the east. Cloudiness is also at a maximum in winter, averaging in the 70% to 80% range throughout the season. Low-hanging stratus or stratocumulus cloud decks are characteristic, and only occasionally is the dull, gray overcast broken by short periods of sunshine. The widespread cloudiness yields frequent precipitation, often in the form of snow. Although the precipitation persists for relatively long periods, the intensity of the falls is usually light, and monthly accumulations are normally less than 3 inches. Alternating periods of snow cover and snow melt are featured throughout winter; snow depths infrequently reach or exceed 6 inches. Fogs are common during the morning and occasionally last throughout the day. This, together with the rather high frequencies of precipitation and very low cloud ceilings, makes visibility conditions the poorest of the year. The gloomy atmosphere is made even more trying by the raw, biting winds during the passage of storms or fronts; some wings reach gale intensity (>27 knots).

Summers are pleasantly mild or warm in the afternoon, temperatures reaching average maximums in the middle or upper 60's (°F), or low 70's, while the nights cool to average temperatures in the low or middle 50's. The highest readings of the season occur during the infrequent influx of hot continental air, which send temperatures soaring into the 80's or low 90's. Relative humidity is more tolerable in summer, especially in the afternoon, when average values are mostly in the 60% to 75% range. The pleasantness of the season includes ample sunshine as cloud cover reaches a minimum, generally averaging between 50% and 65% throughout the country. Cumulus clouds dominate the skies and often mushroom into billowy masses, with accompanying brief shower activity. The more intense rainfall results in increases in average monthly amounts to totals of 3 or 4 inches. The heaviest falls of rain occur during the occasional thunderstorms. Early morning fogs are less frequent and quickly burn off by late morning, and the showers are usually of short duration; thus, visibility is much improved and offers the best condition of the year. The winds abate sharply during summer, and strong winds are associated mostly with the infrequent thunderstorms.

The Faeroe Islands have a maritime climate and are under the strong influence of the Icelandic low all year. The frequency of migratory low pressure systems results in highly changeable daily weather. In addition, the rugged terrain causes marked local variations in most climatic elements. In the narrow coastal lowlands of the Faeroes, mean daily maximum temperatures range from the mid-50's in summer to the low 40's in winter. Mean daily minimums range from the mid-40's in summer to the low 30's in winter. Extreme maximums in summer are about 70°F; extreme minimums in winter are near 10°F. in most places, but are near 0°F, at the higher elevations. Mean annual precipitation ranges from about 50 inches in sheltered locations to perhaps as much as 100 inches at exposed southwesterly locations. Precipitation is heaviest during the period October through February and lightest in the period October through February and lightest in the period April through August. In the coastal lowlands snow occurs on approximately 45 days annually, mostly October through May; the ground is covered with an inch or more of snow on 37 days and with 6 inches or more on 13 days annually. In the mountains snow is much more frequent and remains on the ground for longer periods. Thunderstorms are rare, occurring on only 5 days a year. Skies are frequently overcast, and the mean cloud cover is generally between 80% and 90%. Visibility is frequently restricted by fog, snow, and rain and by low clouds that often obscure the hills and ridges. Relative humidity is high throughout the year; monthly means range from about 85% to 95%. Surface winds are frequently stronger than 27 knots, especially at exposed mountain locations.

B. Military geographic regions (C)

There are two military geographic regions—Denmark (Jutland peninsula, adjacent islands, and Bornholm) and the Faeroe Islands (Figure 19). The combination of environmental conditions within each region would have a relatively uniform effect on

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4