Brief communication: Changing mid-twentieth century Antarctic sea ice variability linked to tropical forcing (Discussion Paper)

Abstract

Satellite observations demonstrate Antarctic sea ice extent increased between late-1978 and 2015, with significant spatial and seasonal variability. Late spring retreat off George V Land is a major component of the observed increase, but the paucity of proxy records makes interpretation of trends (and impacts) challenging. Here Earth-system modelling and reanalysis demonstrate tropical Pacific warming can trigger an atmospheric Rossby wave response during the austral spring, delaying sea-ice retreat off George V Land. Our results provide new insights into the spatial and temporal role low latitudes play in Antarctic sea-ice production, drift and ocean circulation on decadal to centennial timescales.

Citation

(2017). Brief communication: Changing mid-twentieth century Antarctic sea ice variability linked to tropical forcing (Discussion Paper). Cryosphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2017-51%2C+2017

• Acceptance Date: Apr 21, 2017
• Publication Date: Apr 25, 2017
• Journal: The Cryosphere
• Print ISSN: 1994-0416
• Publisher: European Geosciences Union (EGU)
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2017-51%2C+2017
• Publisher URL: https://www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/tc-2017-51/