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Exploring links between Arctic amplification and mid-latitude weather
Ist Teil von
Geophysical research letters, 2013-03, Vol.40 (5), p.959-964
Ort / Verlag
Washington: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Erscheinungsjahr
2013
Quelle
Alma/SFX Local Collection
Beschreibungen/Notizen
This study examines observed changes (1979–2011) in atmospheric planetary‐wave amplitude over northern mid‐latitudes, which have been proposed as a possible mechanism linking Arctic amplification and mid‐latitude weather extremes. We use two distinct but equally‐valid definitions of planetary‐wave amplitude, termed meridional amplitude, a measure of north‐south meandering, and zonal amplitude, a measure of the intensity of atmospheric ridges and troughs at 45°N. Statistically significant changes in either metric are limited to few seasons, wavelengths, and longitudinal sectors. However in summer, we identify significant increases in meridional amplitude over Europe, but significant decreases in zonal amplitude hemispherically, and also individually over Europe and Asia. Therefore, we argue that possible connections between Arctic amplification and planetary waves, and implications of these, are sensitive to how waves are conceptualized. The contrasting meridional and zonal amplitude trends have different and complex possible implications for midlatitude weather, and we encourage further work to better understand these.
Key Points
Two different measures of atmospheric planetary‐wave amplitude analysed
Statistically significant trends 1979‐2011 limited to a few seasons and regions
Links between Arctic warming and wave amplitude sensitive to definition of wave