HR: 16:40h
AN: U44A-03    [Abstracts]
TI: An abrupt transition to September ice free conditions and its influence on the Arctic freshwater system
AU: * Holland, M M
EM: mholland@ucar.edu
AF: National Center for Atmospheric Research, PO Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 United States
AB: Sea ice is an important component of the Arctic freshwater system. It acts as a storage of water within the system and through the motion of the ice pack, it removes freshwater from the Arctic and deposits it in the north Atlantic. Observations indicate that the Arctic sea ice has changed in numerous ways over the last 30-40 years, including dramatic decreases in the September sea ice cover. Here we discuss future climate model projections which show an abrupt transition to September ice free conditions. In this integration from approximately 2025-2035, the September ice cover rapidly declines from nearly complete coverage to ice free conditions. These simulated changes are discussed within the context of the observed record and other model ensemble members. The mechanisms driving this abrupt change are analyzed and the influences of this abrupt transition on the larger arctic freshwater system are discussed.
DE: 1655 Water cycles (1836)
DE: 4540 Ice mechanics and air/sea/ice exchange processes (0700, 0750, 0752, 0754)
DE: 4901 Abrupt/rapid climate change (1605)
SC: Union [U]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005