Mortin, J;
Svensson, G;
Graversen, RG;
Kapsch, M-L;
Stroeve, JC;
Boisvert, LN;
(2016)
Melt onset over Arctic sea ice controlled by atmospheric moisture transport.
Geophysical Research Letters
, 43
(12)
pp. 6636-6642.
10.1002/2016GL069330.
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Abstract
The timing of melt onset affects the surface energy uptake throughout the melt season. Yet the processes triggering melt and causing its large interannual variability are not well understood. Here we show that melt onset over Arctic sea ice is initiated by positive anomalies of water vapor, clouds, and air temperatures that increase the downwelling longwave radiation (LWD) to the surface. The earlier melt onset occurs; the stronger are these anomalies. Downwelling shortwave radiation (SWD) is smaller than usual at melt onset, indicating that melt is not triggered by SWD. When melt occurs early, an anomalously opaque atmosphere with positive LWD anomalies preconditions the surface for weeks preceding melt. In contrast, when melt begins late, clearer than usual conditions are evident prior to melt. Hence, atmospheric processes are imperative for melt onset. It is also found that spring LWD increased during recent decades, consistent with trends toward an earlier melt onset.
Type: | Article |
---|---|
Title: | Melt onset over Arctic sea ice controlled by atmospheric moisture transport |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1002/2016GL069330 |
Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069330 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | Copyright © 2016 American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. |
Keywords: | Arctic sea ice; melt onset; remote sensing; climate variability; polar meteorology |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Earth Sciences |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1520429 |
1. | United States | 5 |
2. | China | 3 |
3. | United Kingdom | 3 |
4. | Germany | 2 |
5. | Russian Federation | 1 |
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