High‐Frequency Sea Ice Variability in Observations and Models
Abstract
We characterize high‐frequency variability of sea ice extent (HFVSIE) in observations and climate models. We find that HFVSIE in models is biased low with respect to observations, especially at synoptic timescales (<20 days) in the Arctic year‐round and at monthly timescales (30–60 days) in Antarctica in winter. Models show large spread in HFVSIE, especially in Antarctica. This spread is partly explained by sea ice mean‐state while model biases in sea level pressure (SLP) and wind variability do not appear to play a major role in HFVSIE spread. Extreme sea ice extent (SIE) changes are associated with SLP anomaly dipoles aligned with the sea ice edge and winds directed on‐ice (off‐ice) during SIE loss (gain) events. In observations, these events are also associated with distinct ocean wave states during the cold season, when waves are greater (smaller) and travel toward (away from) the sea ice edge during SIE loss (gain) events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1029/2020gl092356
Entities
People
- Aaron Donohoe
- Alice Duvivier
- Cecilia M. Bitz
- Edward Blanchard-Wrigglesworth
- Lettie A. Roach
Organizations
- NASA Earth Science
- National Center for Atmospheric Research
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- University of Washington