Extreme intra-seasonal anomalies in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen sea-ice area, Antarctica, during the austral winter

Authors: de Lima, Fabio Ullmann Furtado; Véspoli de Carvalho, Leila M.

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 48, Number 1, June 2008 , pp. 58-64(7)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

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Abstract:

We examine the role of the propagation of atmospheric mid-latitudes wave trains in modulating the Amundsen and Bellingshausen sea-ice area (SIA), Antarctica, on intra-seasonal timescales (20-100 days). Spectral analysis of passive microwave estimates of SIA in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas for 1979-2004 shows significant peaks on intra-seasonal timescales. Previous studies have suggested that variations in SIA are linked to disturbances in atmospheric circulation and sea surface temperature. We show that extreme SIA anomalies on intra-seasonal timescales lag the propagation of subtropical wave trains in the Southern Hemisphere by approximately 10-15 days. The sign of the SIA anomaly depends on the phase of the wave. We present evidence that the number of disturbances that cause extreme anomalies of SIA on intra-seasonal timescales has increased in the last 14 years.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3189/172756408784700671

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