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 midlatitudes? The chaotic nature of atmospheric circulation precludes easy answers. Yet the topic is a major science challenge, as continued Arctic temperature increases are an ine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature Climate Change
Main Authors: Overland, J. E., Dethloff, K., Francis, J. A., Hall, R. J., Hanna, E., Kim, S.-J., Screen, J. A., Shepherd, T. G., Vihma, T.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2016
Subjects:
Arctic
Online Access:https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/67299/
https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/67299/1/Overland-NatureCC_20JulySubmissionFinalNCLIM-16010138C.pdf
Description
Summary:Are continuing changes in the Arctic influencing wind patterns and the occurrence of extreme weather events in northern midlatitudes? The chaotic nature of atmospheric circulation precludes easy answers. Yet the topic is a major science challenge, as continued Arctic temperature increases are an inevitable aspect of anthropogenic global change. We propose a perspective that rejects simple cause-and-effect pathways, notes diagnostic challenges in interpreting atmospheric dynamics, and present a way forward based on understanding multiple processes that lead to uncertainties in Arctic/midlatitude weather and climate linkages. We emphasize community coordination for both scientific progress and communication to a broader public.

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