Antarctic Peninsula mesoscale cyclone variability and climatic impacts influenced by the SAM

Lubin, Dan; Wittenmyer, Robert A.; Bromwich, David H.; Marshall, Gareth J.

Lubin, Dan; Wittenmyer, Robert A.; Bromwich, David H.; Marshall, Gareth J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8887-7314. 2008 Antarctic Peninsula mesoscale cyclone variability and climatic impacts influenced by the SAM. Geophysical Research Letters, 35 (2), L02808. 4, pp. 10.1029/2007GL032170

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Abstract

The frequency of mesoscale cyclones in the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region during 1991-94 is correlated with the Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode (SAM) index, most strongly during winter and spring. Also, during periods of positive SAM index polarity there is a shift in the storm tracks to favor more east-bound trajectories, consistent with strengthening of circumpolar westerlies. The presence of mesoscale cyclones is associated with positive near-surface-air temperature anomalies in the WAP region year-round, largest during winter.

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