The “Warm‐Arctic/Cold‐continents” pattern during 1901–2010

The “Warm‐Arctic/Cold‐continents” (WACC) winter weather pattern is investigated using the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts 20th Century reanalysis data (ERA20C) spanning 1901–2010. Both the 1920–1940 and 1990–2010 periods are characterized by Arctic amplification (AA) and mid‐latit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of climatology 2018-11, Vol.38 (14), p.5245-5254
Main Authors: Chen, Linling, Francis, Jennifer, Hanna, Edward
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arctic amplification
blocking frequency/intensity
Change detection
cold‐continents
Continents
jet stream
Latitude
mid‐latitude weather
Polar environments
Statistical analysis
Statistical methods
Temperature gradients
warm‐Arctic
Weather forecasting
Weather patterns
Winter weather
Zonal winds
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Summary:The “Warm‐Arctic/Cold‐continents” (WACC) winter weather pattern is investigated using the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts 20th Century reanalysis data (ERA20C) spanning 1901–2010. Both the 1920–1940 and 1990–2010 periods are characterized by Arctic amplification (AA) and mid‐latitude continental cooling, although the Arctic warming signal for 1990–2010 is twice as strong as that for 1920–1940. Significant weakening in the mid‐latitude polewards temperature gradient and zonal wind, wavier upper‐level flow character, and strong regional blocking frequency/intensity changes are also detected during both AA periods. These results based on statistical analyses highlight the possible role of AA in affecting mid‐latitude weather patterns, but further work is needed to quantify the influence of AA on particular mid‐latitude dynamical features. “Warm‐Arctic/Cold‐continents” (WACC) winter weather pattern is clearly shown in both 1920–1940 and 1990–2010 periods. Significant weakening in mid‐latitude polewards temperature gradient and zonal wind, wavier upper‐level flow character, and strong regional blocking frequency/intensity changes are detected during both periods. Noticeable regional differences of trends in these dynamical features between AA1 and AA2 period suggest the need for a more in‐depth dynamical meteorological investigation of regional mechanisms of AA and mid‐latitude weather linkages.
ISSN:0899-8418
1097-0088
DOI:10.1002/joc.5725