GFI/BCCR Seminar: On the linkage between atmospheric circulation and Arctic sea-ice melt
Hovedinnhold
Rune Graversen (UiT, Tromsø):
On the linkage between atmospheric circulation and Arctic sea-ice melt
Abstract
The difference in solar insolation between high and low latitudes induces a poleward energy transport in the climate system. At the Arctic boundary, around 70 N, most of this transport is accomplished by the atmosphere and to a minor extent by the ocean. The atmospheric energy transport plays a crucial role for the Arctic climate; the transport brings to the Arctic an amount of energy comparable to that provided directly by the sun.
Here we discuss how variability of the energy transport at the Arctic boundary affects the Arctic temperatures and sea ice cover. For instance we provide evidence that the atmospheric energy transport played a crucial role for the extensive sea ice melt during summer of 2007. The Arctic summer melt in 2007 is exceeded only by the melt in 2012 in the observational records.