Antarctic Peninsula mesoscale cyclone variability and climatic impacts influenced by the SAM

• Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
• Main Authors: Lubin, Dan, Wittenmyer, Robert A., Bromwich, David H., Marshall, Gareth J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Geophysical Union 2008
• Subjects: Meteorology and Climatology; Atmospheric Sciences; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11554/; https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11554/1/2007GL032170.pdf; http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/gl0802/2007GL032170/2007GL032170.pdf

The frequency of mesoscale cyclones in the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region during 1991-94 is correlated with the Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode (SAM) index, most strongly during winter and spring. Also, during periods of positive SAM index polarity there is a shift in the storm tracks to favor more east-bound trajectories, consistent with strengthening of circumpolar westerlies. The presence of mesoscale cyclones is associated with positive near-surface-air temperature anomalies in the WAP region year-round, largest during winter.