Evaporative controls on Antarctic precipitation: an ECHAM6 model study using innovative water tracer diagnostics

• Published in: The Cryosphere
• Main Author: Qinggang, Gao
• Other Authors: Sime, Louise C., McLaren, Alison J., Bracegirdle, Thomas J., Capron, Emilie, Rhodes, Rachael H., Steen-Larsen, Hans Christian, Shi, Xiaoxu, Werner, Martin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Zenodo 2024
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic; The Cryosphere
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-683-2024

Antarctic precipitation is a crucial component of the climate system. Its spatio-temporal variability impacts sea level changes and the interpretation of water isotope measurements in ice cores. To better understand its climatic drivers, we developed water tracers in an atmospheric model to identify moisture source conditions from which precipitation originates. We find that mid-latitude surface winds exert an important control on moisture availability for Antarctic precipitation.