Nonlinear response of mid-latitude weather to the changing Arctic

Are continuing changes in the Arctic influencing wind patterns and the occurrence of extreme weather events in northern mid-latitudes? The chaotic nature of atmospheric circulation precludes easy answers. The topic is a major science challenge, as continued Arctic temperature increases are an inevit...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature Climate Change
Main Authors: Overland, James E., Dethloff, Klaus, Francis, Jennifer A., Hall, Richard, Hanna, Edward, Kim, Seong-Joong, Screen, James A., Shepherd, Theodore G., Vihma, Timo
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2016
Subjects:
F840 Physical Geography
Arctic
Climate change
Online Access:https://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/25929/
https://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/25929/1/Overland-NatureCC_20JulySubmissionFinalNCLIM-16010138C.docx
https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3121
Description
Summary:Are continuing changes in the Arctic influencing wind patterns and the occurrence of extreme weather events in northern mid-latitudes? The chaotic nature of atmospheric circulation precludes easy answers. The topic is a major science challenge, as continued Arctic temperature increases are an inevitable aspect of anthropogenic climate change. We propose a perspective that rejects simple cause-and-effect pathways and notes diagnostic challenges in interpreting atmospheric dynamics. We present a way forward based on understanding multiple processes that lead to uncertainties in Arctic and mid-latitude weather and climate linkages. We emphasize community coordination for both scientific progress and communication to a broader public.

Similar Items