Categories: Cryosphere Capsules

Role of Ocean Heat in Arctic Winter Sea Ice Reformation

Journal of Climate, May 18

A negative feedback mechanism related to new, but very thin sea ice formation appears to stimulate the rapid re-growth of sea ice during the winter in portions of the Arctic eastward from the Laptev to Beaufort Seas (approximately over the eastern half of Siberian Russia). However, in the Barents and Kara Seas west of this region, this feedback is apparently now overpowered by the impact of warmer ocean and air temperatures, which decreases and delays winter sea ice recovery. Future sea ice recovery during the winter is threatened by rising ocean temperatures during this season, which could result in record loss of sea ice coverage, as well as thinner ice in coming years, not just during the summer months but also in winter.

https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/clim/aop/JCLI-D-20-0848.1/JCLI-D-20-0848.1.xml

Pam Pearson

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