Articles | Volume 19, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-6771-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-6771-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
12 Dec 2025
Research article |
| 12 Dec 2025
| 12 Dec 2025
An assessment of Antarctic sea-ice thickness in CMIP6 simulations with comparison to the satellite-based observations and reanalyses
Department of Geography, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Will Hobbs
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Marilyn Raphael
Department of Geography, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
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Shreya Trivedi, Imke Sievers, Marylou Athanase, Antonio Sánchez Benítez, and Tido Semmler
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2214, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2214, 2024
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Our study introduces a new method to compare CMIP6 models' sea ice and snow simulations with in-situ (MOSAiC) measurements. We assessed models for their accuracy in replicating Arctic sea ice and snow thicknesses, using two sea-ice and atmosphere-based methods to select "proxy years." We show that the models often overestimate snow thickness and mistime sea ice cycles. Despite limitations, this approach provides a valuable tool for evaluating climate models in localized time and space.
Shreya Trivedi, Imke Sievers, Marylou Athanase, Antonio Sánchez Benítez, and Tido Semmler
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2214, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2214, 2024
Preprint archived
Short summary
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Our study introduces a new method to compare CMIP6 models' sea ice and snow simulations with in-situ (MOSAiC) measurements. We assessed models for their accuracy in replicating Arctic sea ice and snow thicknesses, using two sea-ice and atmosphere-based methods to select "proxy years." We show that the models often overestimate snow thickness and mistime sea ice cycles. Despite limitations, this approach provides a valuable tool for evaluating climate models in localized time and space.
Alexander D. Fraser, Robert A. Massom, Mark S. Handcock, Phillip Reid, Kay I. Ohshima, Marilyn N. Raphael, Jessica Cartwright, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Zhaohui Wang, and Richard Porter-Smith
The Cryosphere, 15, 5061–5077, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, 2021
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Landfast ice is sea ice that remains stationary by attaching to Antarctica's coastline and grounded icebergs. Although a variable feature, landfast ice exerts influence on key coastal processes involving pack ice, the ice sheet, ocean, and atmosphere and is of ecological importance. We present a first analysis of change in landfast ice over an 18-year period and quantify trends (−0.19 ± 0.18 % yr−1). This analysis forms a reference of landfast-ice extent and variability for use in other studies.
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Short summary
The study analyzes sea-ice thickness variations in the Southern Ocean using 39 CMIP6 models and satellite and reanalysis datasets. It reveals seasonal covariances between sea ice area and thickness. The models replicate the mean seasonal cycle and spatial patterns, but show significant inter-model variability, with sea-ice area better simulated than thickness. The study emphasizes the need for improved Antarctic sea-ice processes in models for accurate thickness projections.
The study analyzes sea-ice thickness variations in the Southern Ocean using 39 CMIP6 models and...
