Arctic sea-ice change and its impact on the Arctic Climate system
Arctic sea ice is often considered to be one of the most sensitive indicators of climate change.
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Satellite and other observations have demonstrated a consistent trend toward reduced Arctic sea ice, but substantial year-to-year variability remains both in observations and in state-of-the-art climate model experiments. Overlying atmospheric and underlying oceanic circulations can influence the pattern and amount of sea ice loss. Conversely, sea ice loss influences the ocean and atmosphere, including substantial changes to the ocean heat content and to the overall structure of the atmospheric circulation. A better understanding of the interactions between sea ice and the polar ocean and atmosphere will improve our forecasts for Arctic climate change and better prepare us for the resultant effects on people and ecosystems.
Contact at GFI: Camille Li and Justin Wettstein