THE INFLUENCE OF THE ARCTIC PACK ICE ON CLIMATE,
Abstract
An assessment is made of each component of the heat budgets of the surface and of the earth--atmosphere system in the central Arctic, both for an ice-covered ocean and for an ice-free ocean. The annual patterns of atmospheric heat loss for both conditions are obtained as residuals; the relation of these patterns to general atmospheric circulation and glacier accumulation is discussed. It is shown that atmospheric cooling in the Arctic is closely related to certain indices of atmospheric circulation. An ice-free Arctic Ocean would probably be associated with atmospheric circulation more vigorous in summer at subarctic latitudes and of comparable vigor in winter. The cool summers and warm, moist winters would be highly conducive to glacier growth. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0627985
Entities
People
- J. O. Fletcher
Organizations
- RAND Corporation