Articles | Volume 20, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1523-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1523-2026
Research article
 | 
09 Mar 2026
Research article |  | 09 Mar 2026

Sea ice albedo bounded data assimilation and its impact on modeling: a regional approach

Joseph F. Rotondo, Molly M. Wieringa, Cecilia M. Bitz, Robin P. Clancy, and Steven M. Cavallo

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Cited articles

Agarwal, S., Moon, W., and Wettlaufer, J. S.: Decadal to seasonal variability of Arctic sea ice albedo, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L20504, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL049109, 2011. a
Anderson, J. L., Hoar, T. J., Raeder, K., Liu, H., Collins, N., Torn, R., and Avellano, A.: The Data Assimilation Research Testbed: A Community Facility, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 90, 1283–1296, https://doi.org/10.1175/2009BAMS2618.1, 2009. a
Anderson, J., Riedel, C., Wieringa, M., Ishraque, F., Smith, M., and Kershaw, H.: A Quantile-Conserving Ensemble Filter Framework. Part III: Data Assimilation for Mixed Distributions with Application to a Low-Order Tracer Advection Model, Mon. Weather Rev., 152, 2111–2127, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-23-0255.1, 2024. a, b, c, d
Anderson, J. L.: A Quantile-Conserving Ensemble Filter Framework. Part I: Updating an Observed Variable, Mon. Weather Rev., 150, 1061–1074, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-21-0229.1, 2022. a
Arndt, S. and Nicolaus, M.: Seasonal cycle and long-term trend of solar energy fluxes through Arctic sea ice, The Cryosphere, 8, 2219–2233, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2219-2014, 2014. a
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Short summary
We tested a new way to improve Arctic sea ice forecasts by adding satellite-based surface brightness, or albedo, into a sea ice model. This approach captures key surface changes like melting and snowfall that affect ice loss. We found it often gives better results when combined with standard data like ice coverage or thickness, especially during the melt season. This method offers a powerful tool for tracking Arctic sea ice in a changing climate.
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