The Amundsen Sea Low: Variability, change and impact on Antarctic climate

Raphael, M.N.; Marshall, G. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8887-7314; Turner, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6111-5122; Fogt, R.L.; Schneider, D.; Dixon, D.A.; Hosking, J.S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3646-3504; Jones, J.M.; Hobbs, W.R.. 2016 The Amundsen Sea Low: Variability, change and impact on Antarctic climate. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 97 (1). 111-121. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00018.1

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Abstract/Summary

The Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) is a climatological low pressure center that exerts considerable influence on the climate of West Antarctica. Its potential to explain important recent changes in Antarctic climate, for example in temperature and sea ice extent, means that it has become the focus of an increasing number of studies. Here, we summarize current understanding of the ASL, using reanalysis datasets to analyze recent variability and trends, and ice-core chemistry and climate model projections to examine past and future changes in the ASL, respectively. The ASL has deepened in recent decades, affecting the climate through its influence on the regional meridional wind field, which controls the advection of moisture and heat into the continent. Deepening of the ASL in spring is consistent with observed West Antarctic warming and greater sea ice extent in the Ross Sea. Climate model simulations for recent decades indicate that this deepening is mediated by tropical variability while climate model projections through the 21st century suggest that the ASL will deepen in some seasons in response to greenhouse gas concentration increases.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00018.1
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Atmosphere, Ice and Climate
ISSN:	0003-0007
Date made live:	15 Apr 2015 08:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/510627

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00018.1

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Atmosphere, Ice and Climate

ISSN:

0003-0007

Date made live:

15 Apr 2015 08:34 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/510627