An analysis of Arctic climate, the intense Arctic cyclone of early August 2012, and middle to high latitude snowcover

• Main Author: Turchioe, Adam H.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Scholars Archive 2014
• Subjects: AO; Arctic; Change; Climatology; Cyclones; Snowcover; Snow; Climatic changes; Climatic extremes; Atmospheric Sciences; Arctic Ocean; Siberia
• Online Access: https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/legacy-etd/1291; https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/context/legacy-etd/article/2290/viewcontent/Turchioe_Q4RX82symU8vnAWnpBWGGZ.pdf

On 03 August 2012, a cyclone formed over Central Siberia and progressed northeastwards. By 0000 UTC 05 August, the cyclone reached the Arctic Ocean with a mean sea-level pressure (MSLP) of 984 hPa. Once over the Arctic Ocean, the cyclone rapidly intensified and reached a minimum pressure of 966 hPa on 06 August near 83°N and 170°W. The cyclone slowly weakened, and on 0000 UTC 10 August once again had a minimum MSLP of 984 hPa. The motivation for this presentation is driven by the likelihood that this cyclone is one of the most intense storm systems to ever impact the Arctic Ocean in the modern data era. The rarity of this storm is further supported by the fact that it occurred during the summer, prior to the climatologically favored more intense cyclone-season beginning in the fall. The purpose of this thesis will be to present the results of a climatological analysis of Arctic Ocean conditions between for 1979 to 2012. Intense cyclones to occur during this period are analyzed by frequency, trajectory, and intensity. They are categorized based on track, intensity, and seasonality. 0.5° resolution NCEP Climate Forecast Reanalysis data was the primary data source for this study. Global Forecast System FNL data was used for the cast study of the cyclone of August 2012.