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The Cryosphere
Non-annular atmospheric circulation change induced by stratospheric ozone depletion and its role in the recent increase of Antarctic sea ice extent
Article first published online: 23 APR 2009
DOI: 10.1029/2009GL037524
Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.
Additional Information
How to Cite
, , , , , , , , and (2009), Non-annular atmospheric circulation change induced by stratospheric ozone depletion and its role in the recent increase of Antarctic sea ice extent, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L08502, doi:10.1029/2009GL037524.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 APR 2009
- Article first published online: 23 APR 2009
- Manuscript Accepted: 25 MAR 2009
- Manuscript Revised: 11 MAR 2009
- Manuscript Received: 29 JAN 2009
Keywords:
- sea ice;
- ozone
[1] Based on a new analysis of passive microwave satellite data, we demonstrate that the annual mean extent of Antarctic sea ice has increased at a statistically significant rate of 0.97% dec−1 since the late 1970s. The largest increase has been in autumn when there has been a dipole of significant positive and negative trends in the Ross and Amundsen-Bellingshausen Seas respectively. The autumn increase in the Ross Sea sector is primarily a result of stronger cyclonic atmospheric flow over the Amundsen Sea. Model experiments suggest that the trend towards stronger cyclonic circulation is mainly a result of stratospheric ozone depletion, which has strengthened autumn wind speeds around the continent, deepening the Amundsen Sea Low through flow separation around the high coastal orography. However, statistics derived from a climate model control run suggest that the observed sea ice increase might still be within the range of natural climate variability.