Links between Arctic sea ice and extreme summer precipitation in China: an alternative view

• Main Authors: Uotila, Petteri, Karpechko, Alexey, Vihma, Timo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polar Research Institute of China - PRIC 2014
• Subjects: Atmosphere; Oceans; Advances in Polar Science; Arctic; Polar Science; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/2543/; http://library.arcticportal.org/2543/1/A20140402.pdf

Potential links between the Arctic sea-ice concentration anomalies and extreme precipitation in China are explored. Associations behind these links can be explained by physical interpretations aided by visualisations of temporarily lagged composites of variables such as atmospheric mean sea level pressure and sea surface temperature. This relatively simple approach is verified by collectively examining already known links between the Arctic sea ice and rainfall in China. For example, similarities in the extreme summer rainfall response to Arctic sea-ice concentration anomalies either in winter (DJF) or in spring (MAM) are highlighted. Furthermore, new links between the Arctic sea ice and the extreme weather in India and Eurasia are proposed. The methodology developed in this study can be further applied to identify other remote impacts of the Arctic sea ice variability.