A dynamical link between the Arctic and the global climate system

By means of simulations with a global coupled AOGCM it is shown that changes in the polar energy sink region can exert a strong influence on the mid- and high-latitude climate by modulating the strength of the mid-latitude westerlies and storm tracks. It is found, that a more realistic sea-ice and s...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Main Authors: Dethloff, K., Rinke, A., Benkel, A., Køltzow, M., Sokolova, E., Saha, S. Kumar, Handorf, D., Dorn, W., Rockel, B., von Storch, H., Haugen, J. E., Røed, L. P., Roeckner, E., Christensen, J. H., Stendel, M.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2006
Subjects:
Arctic
albedo
North Atlantic
North Atlantic oscillation
Sea ice
Online Access:https://curis.ku.dk/portal/da/publications/a-dynamical-link-between-the-arctic-and-the-global-climate-system(7bd61b02-53b3-41e4-a3eb-60fd03f6b253).html
https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025245
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645894509&partnerID=8YFLogxK
Description
Summary:By means of simulations with a global coupled AOGCM it is shown that changes in the polar energy sink region can exert a strong influence on the mid- and high-latitude climate by modulating the strength of the mid-latitude westerlies and storm tracks. It is found, that a more realistic sea-ice and snow albedo treatment changes the ice-albedo feedback and the radiative exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean-sea-ice system. The planetary wave energy fluxes in the middle troposphere of mid-latitudes between 30 and 50°N are redistributed, which induces perturbations in the zonal and meridional planetary wave trains from the tropics over the mid-latitudes into the Arctic. It is shown, that the improved parameterization of Arctic sea-ice and snow albedo can trigger changes in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oscillation pattern with strong implications for the European climate.

Similar Items