HR: 1340h
AN: A33D-0940 [Abstracts]
TI: A study of an Arctic storm and its ice-ocean interactions during
SHEBA using the coupled MM5-sea ice-ocean model
AU: * Zhang, J
EM: jing@gi.alaska.edu
AF: Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320
United States
AU: Zhang, X
EM: xdz@iarc.uaf.edu
AF: International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 930 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK
99775-7340
United States
AU: Walsh, J E
EM: jwalsh@iarc.uaf.edu
AF: International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 930 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK
99775-7340
United States
AB:
Synoptic-scale cyclone activity has intensified in recent decades in the Arctic region, concurrently with a reduction of mean
sea level pressure and a decrease of sea ice extent. Recent studies suggest that the increase in high latitude cyclone
frequency, associated with a northward shift of storm tracks, is a regional Arctic trend that is not inconsistent with trends
due to global warming. The intensified cyclones result in strengthening of high frequency atmospheric variability, which
may cause noticeable changes of sea ice and the upper ocean. Consequently, studies of the development processes within Arctic
storms, as well as its interactions with the ocean and sea ice, are needed. In this study, the Arctic MM5 model, a
thermodynamic sea ice model and an ocean mixed layer model are coupled to investigate the interactions between the sea ice,
ocean and atmosphere in the context of storm development and the associated atmosphere-ice-ocean interactions. While
observations over the Arctic are very limited, the SHEBA field experiment provides valuable measurements for studying such
interactions. A well-developed storm event during SHEBA was captured by the model. This storm system moved slowly northward
from the Bering Sea to the Beaufort Sea during 9-12 May 1998 and brought outstanding warm air advection over the Chukchi Sea
and the western Beaufort Sea. We verify the model results with the SHEBA measurements.
DE: 3329 Mesoscale meteorology
DE: 3339 Ocean/atmosphere interactions (0312, 4504)
DE: 3349 Polar meteorology
DE: 3355 Regional modeling
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005