Summers with low Arctic sea ice linked to persistence of spring atmospheric circulation patterns.

ABSTRACT: The declining trend of Arctic September sea ice constitutes a significant change in the Arctic climate system. Large year-to-year variations are superimposed on this sea-ice trend, with the largest variability observed in the eastern Arctic Ocean. Knowledge of the processes important for this variability may lead to an improved understanding of seasonal and long-term changes. Previous studies suggest that transport of heat and moisture into the Arctic during spring enhances downward surface longwave radiation, thereby controlling the annual melt onset, setting the stage for the September ice minimum. In agreement with these studies, we find that years with a low September sea-ice concentration (SIC) are characterized by more persistent periods in spring with enhanced energy flux to the sur

SUBMITTER: Kapsch ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6413483 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature