Potential ocean–atmosphere preconditioning of late autumn Barents-Kara sea ice concentration anomaly

Many recent studies have revealed the importance of the climatic state in November on the seasonal climate of the subsequent winter. In particular, it has been shown that interannual variability of sea ice concentration (SIC) over the Barents-Kara (BK) seas in November is linked to winter atmospheri...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tellus A: Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography
Main Authors: Martin P. King, Javier García-Serrano
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Stockholm University Press 2016
Subjects:
Arctic sea ice concentration
sea ice motion
boreal autumn climate
Oceanography
GC1-1581
Meteorology. Climatology
QC851-999
Arctic
Barents Sea
Kara Sea
North Atlantic
North Atlantic oscillation
Sea ice
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v68.28580
https://doaj.org/article/01981854006c42258308915a36580061
Description
Summary:Many recent studies have revealed the importance of the climatic state in November on the seasonal climate of the subsequent winter. In particular, it has been shown that interannual variability of sea ice concentration (SIC) over the Barents-Kara (BK) seas in November is linked to winter atmospheric circulation anomaly that projects on the North Atlantic Oscillation. Understanding the lead–lag processes involving the different components of the climate system from autumn to winter is therefore important. This note presents dynamical interpretation for the ice-ocean–atmosphere relationships that can affect the BK SIC anomaly in late autumn. It is found that cyclonic (anticyclonic) wind anomaly over the Arctic in October, by Ekman drift, can be responsible for positive (negative) SIC in the BK seas in November. The results also suggest that ocean heat transport via the Barents Sea Opening in September and October can contribute to BK SIC anomaly in November.

Similar Items