Wind–sea surface temperature–sea ice relationship in the Chukchi–Beaufort Seas during autumn

Abstract

Dramatic climate changes, especially the largest sea ice retreat during September and October, in the Chukchi–Beaufort Seas could be a consequence of, and further enhance, complex air–ice–sea interactions. To detect these interaction signals, statistical relationships between surface wind speed, sea surface temperature (SST), and sea ice concentration (SIC) were analyzed. The results show a negative correlation between wind speed and SIC. The relationships between wind speed and SST are complicated by the presence of sea ice, with a negative correlation over open water but a positive correlation in sea ice dominated areas. The examination of spatial structures indicates that wind speed tends to increase when approaching the ice edge from open water and the area fully covered by sea ice. The anomalous downward radiation and thermal advection, as well as their regional distribution, play important roles in shaping these relationships, though wind-driven sub-grid scale boundary layer processes may also have contributions. Considering the feedback loop involved in the wind–SST–SIC relationships, climate model experiments would be required to further untangle the underlying complex physical processes.

Keywords

• sea ice
• SST
• surface wind
• Arctic Ocean
• climate change
• climate variability