scholarly journals Recent summer Arctic atmospheric circulation anomalies in a historical perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Belleflamme ◽  
X. Fettweis ◽  
M. Erpicum
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Circulation Type ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Pressure Area ◽  
Circulation Anomalies ◽  
The Arctic Region

Abstract. A significant increase in the summertime occurrence of a high pressure area over the Beaufort Sea, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and Greenland has been observed since the beginning of the 2000s, and particularly between 2007 and 2012. These circulation anomalies are likely partly responsible for the enhanced Greenland ice sheet melt as well as the Arctic sea ice loss observed since 2007. Therefore, it is interesting to analyse whether similar conditions might have happened since the late 19th century over the Arctic region. We have used an atmospheric circulation type classification based on daily mean sea level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height data from five reanalysis data sets (ERA-Interim, ERA-40, NCEP/NCAR, ERA-20C, and 20CRv2) to put the recent circulation anomalies in perspective with the atmospheric circulation variability since 1871. We found that circulation conditions similar to 2007–2012 have occurred in the past, despite a higher uncertainty of the reconstructed circulation before 1940. For example, only ERA-20C shows circulation anomalies that could explain the 1920–1930 summertime Greenland warming, in contrast to 20CRv2. While the recent anomalies exceed by a factor of 2 the interannual variability of the atmospheric circulation of the Arctic region, their origin (natural variability or global warming) remains debatable.

scholarly journals Recent summer Arctic atmospheric circulation anomalies in a historical perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 4823-4847 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Belleflamme ◽  
X. Fettweis ◽  
M. Erpicum
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Sea ◽  
Circulation Anomalies ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice Loss ◽  
The Arctic Region

Abstract. A significant increase in the summertime occurrence of a high pressure area over the Beaufort Sea and Greenland has been observed from the beginning of the 2000's, and particularly between 2007 and 2012. These circulation anomalies are likely partly responsible for the enhanced Greenland ice sheet melt as well as the Arctic sea ice loss observed since 2007. Therefore, it is interesting to analyse whether similar conditions might have happened since the late 19th century over the Arctic region. We have used an atmospheric circulation type classification based on daily mean sea level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height data from four reanalysis datasets (ERA-Interim, ERA-40, NCEP/NCAR, and 20CRv2) to put the recent circulation anomalies in perspective with the atmospheric circulation variability since 1871. We found that circulation conditions similar to 2007–2012 have occurred in the past, despite a higher uncertainty of the reconstructed circulation before 1940. But the recent anomalies largely exceed the interannual variability of the atmospheric circulation of the Arctic region. These circulation anomalies are linked with the North Atlantic Oscillation suggesting that they are not limited to the Arctic. Finally, they favour summertime Arctic sea ice loss.

Tendencies in current climate change and atmospheric circulation variability in the Arctic region of West Siberia

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-320
Author(s):  
Elena V. Kharyutkina ◽  
Sergey V. Loginov
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
West Siberia ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
The Arctic Region

The main goal of this study is to carry out the investigation of the climatic parameters variability and the role of global atmospheric circulation in their trends over the Arctic region of West Siberia (60-70°N, 60-90°E) using reanalysis data. The characteristics of spatial and temporal variability of meteorological parameters (surface air temperature and soil temperature, atmospheric pressure, snow depth and surface albedo) were calculated using ERA-Interim reanalysis data over the period of 1979−2015. It was established that in the beginning of XXI century, there is an air and soil temperature decrease in winter and autumn and its statistically significant increase in spring and summer. The tendency to permafrost area degradation is observed for the Arctic region. The maximal changes are observed in low-temperature permafrost soils than in soils with higher temperature. This trend is accompanied by the decrease in snow cover depth and surface albedo. Global circulation indices variability, its relationships with meteorological parameters in West Siberia and with sea ice cover extent in the Arctic Seas indicate that atmospheric blocking processes, which are responsible for anticyclonic type of weather, were developed in the region during last decades.

Dominant Characteristics of early autumn Arctic sea ice variability and its impact on Winter Eurasian climate

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-67
Author(s):  
Shuoyi Ding ◽  
Bingyi Wu ◽  
Wen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Geopotential Height ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Height Anomaly ◽  
Geopotential Height Anomaly ◽  
Arctic Sea ◽  
Westerly Winds ◽  
The Arctic Region

AbstractThe present study investigated dominant characteristics of autumn Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) interannual variations and impacts of September-October (SO) mean SIC anomalies in the East Siberian-Chukchi-Beaufort (EsCB) Seas on winter Eurasian climate variability. Results showed that the decreased SO EsCB sea ice is favorable for tropospheric warming and positive geopotential height anomaly over the Arctic region one month later through transporting much more heat fluxes to the atmosphere from the open water. When entering the early winter (ND(0)J(1)), enhanced upward propagation of quasi-stationary planetary waves in the mid-high latitudes generates anomalous Eliassen-Palm flux convergence in the upper troposphere, which decelerates the westerly winds and maintains the positive geopotential height anomaly in the Arctic region. This anticyclonic anomaly extends southward into the central-western Eurasia and leads to evident surface cooling there. Two months later, it further develops toward downstream accompanied by a deepened trough, making the northeastern China experience a colder late winter (JFM(1)). Meanwhile, an anticyclonic anomaly over the eastern North Pacific excites a horizontal eastward wave train and contributes to positive (negative) geopotential height anomaly around the Greenland (Europe), favoring negative surface temperature anomaly over western Europe. In addition, the stratospheric polar vortex is also significantly weakened in the wintertime, which is attributed to decreased meridional temperature gradient and decelerated westerly winds provides a favorable condition for much more quasi-stationary planetary waves propagating into the stratosphere. Some major features of atmospheric responses to EsCB sea ice loss are well reproduced in the CAM4 sensitivity experiments.

scholarly journals Investigation of the temporary variability of the characteristics of atmospheric circulation in the area of Spitsbergen

2017 ◽  
pp. 47-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. V. Prokhorova ◽  
P. N. Sviashchennikov ◽  
B. V. Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Pressure Field ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Horizontal Gradients ◽  
The Arctic Region

The article presents the results of a study of the temporal variability of atmospheric circulation in the Arctic region. The classifi cation of atmospheric circulation forms according to Wangenheim — Girs for cold (November – April) and warm (March – October) periods of the year are used. We consider the repeatability of series with one form of circulation for gradations of duration and variability in time of this characteristic, as a parameter of stability of synoptic processes in the region under consideration. As additional characteristics, the horizontal gradients of the pressure field are calculated according to the atmospheric pressure at sea level. Estimates of the variability of the meridional and latitudinal directions of air advection are obtained.

scholarly journals Future emissions from oil, gas, and shipping activities in the Arctic

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 4913-4951 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Peters ◽  
T. B. Nilssen ◽  
L. Lindholt ◽  
M. S. Eide ◽  
S. Glomsrød ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Emission Inventories ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
The Arctic Region

Abstract. The Arctic sea-ice is retreating faster than predicted by climate models and could become ice free during summer this century. The reduced sea-ice extent may effectively "unlock" the Arctic Ocean to increased human activities such as transit shipping and expanded oil and gas production. Travel time between Europe and the north Pacific Region can be reduced by up to 50% with low sea-ice levels and the use of this route could increase substantially as the sea-ice retreats. Oil and gas activities already occur in the Arctic region and given the large undiscovered petroleum resources increased activity could be expected with reduced sea-ice. We use a detailed global energy market model and a bottom-up shipping model with a sea-ice module to construct emission inventories of Arctic shipping and petroleum activities in 2030 and 2050. The emission inventories are on a 1× 1 degree grid and cover both short-lived pollutants and ozone pre-cursors (SO2, NOx, CO, NMVOC, BC, OC) and the long-lived greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O). We find rapid growth in transit shipping due to increased profitability with the shorter transit times compensating for increased costs in traversing areas of sea-ice. Oil and gas production remains relatively stable leading to reduced emissions from emission factor improvements. The location of oil and gas production moves into locations requiring more ship transport relative to pipeline transport, leading to rapid emissions growth from oil and gas transport via ship. Our emission inventories for the Arctic region will be used as input into chemical transport, radiative transfer, and climate models to quantify the role of Arctic activities in climate change compared to similar emissions occurring outside of the Arctic region.

scholarly journals Snowmelt onset over Arctic sea ice from passive microwave satellite data: 1979–2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2089-2100 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Bliss ◽  
M. R. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Brightness Temperatures ◽  
Arctic Sea ◽  
Microwave Imager ◽  
The Arctic Region

Abstract. An updated version (Version 3) of the Snow Melt Onset Over Arctic Sea Ice from SMMR (Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer) and SSM/I-SSMIS (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager-Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder) Brightness Temperatures data set is now available. The data record has been reprocessed and extended to cover the years 1979–2012. From this data set, a statistical summary of melt onset (MO) dates on Arctic sea ice is presented. The mean MO date for the Arctic Region is 13 May (132.5 DOY – day of year) with a standard deviation of ±7.3 days. Regionally, mean MO dates vary from 15 March (73.2 DOY) in the St. Lawrence Gulf to 10 June (160.9 DOY) in the Central Arctic. Statistically significant decadal trends indicate that MO is occurring 6.6 days decade−1 earlier in the year for the Arctic Region. Regionally, MO trends are as great as −11.8 days decade−1 in the East Siberian Sea. The Bering Sea is an outlier and MO is occurring 3.1 days decade−1 later in the year.

scholarly journals Arctic-Mid-Latitude Linkages in a Nonlinear Quasi-Geostrophic Atmospheric Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dörthe Handorf ◽  
Klaus Dethloff ◽  
Sabine Erxleben ◽  
Ralf Jaiser ◽  
Michael V. Kurgansky
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Atmospheric Model ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Northern Eurasia ◽  
The Arctic Oscillation ◽  
The Impact

A quasi-geostrophic three-level T63 model of the wintertime atmospheric circulation of the Northern Hemisphere has been applied to investigate the impact of Arctic amplification (increase in surface air temperatures and loss of Arctic sea ice during the last 15 years) on the mid-latitude large-scale atmospheric circulation. The model demonstrates a mid-latitude response to an Arctic diabatic heating anomaly. A clear shift towards a negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO−) during low sea-ice-cover conditions occurs, connected with weakening of mid-latitude westerlies over the Atlantic and colder winters over Northern Eurasia. Compared to reanalysis data, there is no clear model response with respect to the Pacific Ocean and North America.

scholarly journals Future emissions from shipping and petroleum activities in the Arctic

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 5305-5320 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Peters ◽  
T. B. Nilssen ◽  
L. Lindholt ◽  
M. S. Eide ◽  
S. Glomsrød ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Emission Inventories ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
The Arctic Region

Abstract. The Arctic sea-ice is retreating faster than predicted by climate models and could become ice free during summer this century. The reduced sea-ice extent may effectively "unlock" the Arctic Ocean to increased human activities such as transit shipping and expanded oil and gas production. Travel time between Europe and the north Pacific Region can be reduced by up to 50 % with low sea-ice levels and the use of this route could increase substantially as the sea-ice retreats. Oil and gas activities already occur in the Arctic region and given the large undiscovered petroleum resources increased activity could be expected with reduced sea-ice. We use a bottom-up shipping model and a detailed global energy market model to construct emission inventories of Arctic shipping and petroleum activities in 2030 and 2050 given estimated sea-ice extents. The emission inventories are on a 1×1 degree grid and cover both short-lived components (SO2, NOx, CO, NMVOC, BC, OC) and the long-lived greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O). We find rapid growth in transit shipping due to increased profitability with the shorter transit times compensating for increased costs in traversing areas of sea-ice. Oil and gas production remains relatively stable leading to reduced emissions from emission factor improvements. The location of oil and gas production moves into locations requiring more ship transport relative to pipeline transport, leading to rapid emissions growth from oil and gas transport via ship. Our emission inventories for the Arctic region will be used as input into chemical transport, radiative transfer, and climate models to quantify the role of Arctic activities in climate change compared to similar emissions occurring outside of the Arctic region.

scholarly journals Uncertainties in Arctic Sea Ice Thickness Associated with Different Atmospheric Reanalysis Datasets Using the CICE5 Model

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
Su-Bong Lee ◽  
Baek-Min Kim ◽  
Jinro Ukita ◽  
Joong-Bae Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Sea Ice Concentration ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Arctic Sea

Reanalysis data are known to have relatively large uncertainties in the polar region than at lower latitudes. In this study, we used a single sea-ice model (Los Alamos’ CICE5) and three sets of reanalysis data to quantify the sensitivities of simulated Arctic sea ice area and volume to perturbed atmospheric forcings. The simulated sea ice area and thickness thus volume were clearly sensitive to the selection of atmospheric reanalysis data. Among the forcing variables, changes in radiative and sensible/latent heat fluxes caused significant amounts of sensitivities. Differences in sea-ice concentration and thickness were primarily caused by differences in downward shortwave and longwave radiations. 2-m air temperature also has a significant influence on year-to-year variability of the sea ice volume. Differences in precipitation affected the sea ice volume by causing changes in the insulation effect of snow-cover on sea ice. The diversity of sea ice extent and thickness responses due to uncertainties in atmospheric variables highlights the need to carefully evaluate reanalysis data over the Arctic region.

Impacts of Greenland freshwater discharge on fjord productivity: a long-term perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mimmi Oksman ◽  
Anna Bang Kvorning ◽  
Sofia Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Freshwater Discharge ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Medieval Climate Anomaly ◽  
Marine Productivity ◽  
The Arctic Region

<p>In the past few decades, warming of the Arctic region has resulted in an abrupt increase of freshwater discharge from the Greenland Ice Sheet into its surrounding ocean. Greenland fjords are modulated by ice-ocean interactions and are very productive ecosystems that sustain important fisheries and other societal ecosystem services. While many studies are ongoing to understand seasonal and inter-annual changes, very little is known about the long-term impacts of freshwater discharge on primary producers and overall Arctic marine ecosystem functioning and structure. This long-term perspective is particularly important because freshwater runoff is expected to increase in the future along with rising atmospheric temperatures. Here, we present records from three marine sediment cores from the Godthåbsfjord that were used to reconstruct past marine productivity and freshwater discharge. The results based on diatom assemblages, BSi and TOC indicate marked fluctuations in past fjord productivity since the end of the Medieval Climate Anomaly, and periodical bursts of freshwater into the fjord resulting in a lowered productivity.</p>

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