Large-scale atmospheric circulation changes are associated with the recent loss of Arctic sea ice

Recent loss of summer sea ice in the Arctic is directly connected to shifts in northern wind patterns in the following autumn, which has the potential of altering the heat budget at the cold end of the global heat engine. With continuing loss of summer sea ice to less than 20% of its climatological mean over the next decades, we anticipate increased modification of atmospheric circulation patterns. While a shift to a more meridional atmospheric climate pattern, the Arctic Dipole (AD), over the last decade contributed to recent reductions in summer Arctic sea ice extent, the increase in late summer open water area is, in turn, directly contributing to a modification of large scale atmospheric circulation…

• JI
  Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean

  Award: NA17RJ1232
• NO
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  Award: NA17RJ1232
• CP
  Climate Program Office