Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Turner, John
• Phillips, Tony
• Marshall, Gareth J.
• Hosking, J. Scott
• Pope, James O.
• Bracegirdle, Thomas J.
• Deb, Pranab

Titel

Unprecedented springtime retreat of Antarctic sea ice in 2016

Ist Teil von

• Geophysical research letters, 2017-07, Vol.44 (13), p.6868-6875

Ort / Verlag

Washington: John Wiley & Sons, Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2017

Quelle

Wiley Blackwell Single Titles

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• During austral spring 2016 Antarctic sea ice extent (SIE) decreased at a record rate of 75 × 103 km2 d−1, which was 46% faster than the mean rate and 18% faster than in any previous spring season during the satellite era. The decrease of sea ice area was also exceptional and 28% greater than the mean. Anomalous negative retreat occurred in all sectors of the Antarctic but was greatest in the Weddell and Ross Seas. Record negative SIE anomalies for the day of year were recorded from 3 November 2016 to 9 April 2017. Rapid ice retreat in the Weddell Sea took place in strong northerly flow after an early maximum ice extent in late August. Rapid ice retreat occurred in November in the Ross Sea when surface pressure was at a record high level, with the Southern Annular Mode at its most negative for that month since 1968. Key Points During austral spring 2016 total Antarctic sea ice extent decreased at a record rate that was 18% faster than previously observed The most anomalous sea ice retreat took place during November and in the Weddell and Ross Sea sectors Record surface pressure anomalies occurred during spring, with the most negative November Southern Annular Mode index since 1968