Review status: a revised version of this preprint was accepted for the journal TC and is expected to appear here in due course.
The impact of atmospheric and oceanic circulations on the Greenland Sea iceconcentration
Sourav Chatterjee1,2,Roshin P. Raj3,Laurent Bertino3,Sebastian H. Merlind3,Nuncio Murukesh1,and Muthalagu Ravichandran1Sourav Chatterjee et al.Sourav Chatterjee1,2,Roshin P. Raj3,Laurent Bertino3,Sebastian H. Merlind3,Nuncio Murukesh1,and Muthalagu Ravichandran1
Received: 30 Apr 2020 – Accepted for review: 30 May 2020 – Discussion started: 05 Jun 2020
Abstract. The amount and spatial extent of Greenland Sea (GS) sea ice are primarily driven by the sea ice export across the Fram Strait (FS) and by local seasonal sea ice formation, melting and sea ice dynamics. Maximum sea ice concentration (SIC) variability is found in the marginal ice zone and ‘Odden’ region in the central GS. In this study, using satellite passive microwave sea ice observations, atmospheric and a coupled ocean-sea ice reanalysis system we show that both the atmospheric and oceanic circulation in the GS act in tandem to explain the SIC variability in the GS. Anomalous low/high sea level pressure (SLP) over the Nordic Seas is found to strengthen/weaken the Greenland Sea Gyre (GSG) circulation. The large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern associated with this GSG variability features North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) like SLP pattern with its northern center of action shifted north-eastward from its canonical position. During anomalous low SLP periods, northerly wind anomalies reduce the sea ice export in the central GS due to westward Ekman drift of sea ice. This in turn decreases the freshwater content and weakens ocean stratification in the central GS. At the same time, the associated positive wind stress curl anomaly strengthens the GSG circulation which recirculates warm and saline Atlantic water (AW) into this region. Under a weakly stratified condition, the subsurface AW anomalies can reach the surface to inhibit new sea ice formation, further reducing the SIC in the central GS. Thus, this study highlights combined influence of atmospheric and oceanic circulation in the central GS SIC variability.
Sea Ice Concentrations from Nimbus-7 SMMR and DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Passive Microwave Data, Version 1.D. J. Cavalieri, C. L. Parkinson, P. Gloersen, and H. J. Zwally https://doi.org/10.5067/8GQ8LZQVL0VL
Polar Pathfinder Daily 25 km EASE-Grid Sea Ice Motion Vectors, Version 4M. Tschudi, W. N. Meier, J. S. Stewart, C. Fowler, and J. Maslanik https://doi.org/10.5067/INAWUWO7QH7B
Sourav Chatterjee et al.
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The study finds that sea ice in the Greenland Sea (GS), which is important for its climatic (freshwater), economical (shipping) and ecological contribution, is partly governed by the atmospheric and ocean circulation in the region. The mechanism proposed in this study can be useful for assessing the sea ice variability and its future projection in the GS. It also indicates that in a warmer climate the sea ice could be more confined to the Greenland coast, making the central GS ice free.
The study finds that sea ice in the Greenland Sea (GS), which is important for its climatic...