Multidecadal preconditioning of the Maud Rise polynya region

• Published in: Ocean Science
• Main Authors: R. M. van Westen, H. A. Dijkstra
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2020
• Subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation; G; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Maud Rise; Southern Ocean; Weddell
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-1443-2020; https://doaj.org/article/41549f34f1744a6a8d02b648adc34859

In this paper, we consider Maud Rise polynya formation in a long (250-year) high-resolution (ocean 0.1 ∘ , atmosphere 0.5 ∘ horizontal model resolution) of the Community Earth System Model. We find a dominant multidecadal timescale in the occurrence of these Maud Rise polynyas. Analysis of the results leads us to the interpretation that a preferred timescale can be induced by the variability of the Weddell Gyre, previously identified as the Southern Ocean Mode. The large-scale pattern of heat content variability associated with the Southern Ocean Mode modifies the stratification in the Maud Rise region and leads to a preferred timescale in convection through preconditioning of the subsurface density and consequently to polynya formation.