The influence of Arctic amplification on mid-latitude summer circulation
Accelerated warming in the Arctic, as compared to the rest of the globe, might have profound impacts on mid-latitude weather. Most studies analyzing Arctic links to mid-latitude weather focused on winter, yet recent summers have seen strong reductions in sea-ice extent and snow cover, a weakened equ...
| Published in: | Nature Communications |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Language: | unknown |
| Published: |
2023
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1511055 https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1511055 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05256-8 |
| Summary: | Accelerated warming in the Arctic, as compared to the rest of the globe, might have profound impacts on mid-latitude weather. Most studies analyzing Arctic links to mid-latitude weather focused on winter, yet recent summers have seen strong reductions in sea-ice extent and snow cover, a weakened equator-to-pole thermal gradient and associated weakening of the mid-latitude circulation. We review the scientific evidence behind three leading hypotheses on the influence of Arctic changes on mid-latitude summer weather: Weakened storm tracks, shifted jet streams, and amplified quasi-stationary waves. We show that interactions between Arctic teleconnections and other remote and regional feedback processes could lead to more persistent hot-dry extremes in the mid-latitudes. The exact nature of these non-linear interactions is not well quantified but they provide potential high-impact risks for society. |
|---|