How Does the East Siberian Sea Ice Affect the June Drought Over Northwest China After 2000?

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Atmospheres 2024-10, Vol.129 (20), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Liu, Yang, Sun, Jianqi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticyclonic circulation; Arctic sea ice; Autumn; Circulation anomalies; Cooling; Drought; Drought conditions; east Siberian Sea; High seas; Humidity; Interannual variability; northwest China drought; Sea ice; Sea ice concentrations; Sea ice leads; Soil; soil moisture; Soil water; Spring; Spring (season); Summer; Summer circulation; Variability; Water vapor; Water vapour; Winds
• ISSN: 2169-897X; 2169-8996
• DOI: 10.1029/2024JD041290

Changes in Arctic sea ice have exerted remarkably effects on the Eurasian climates, but it is unclear whether Arctic sea ice also contributes to Northwest China's ongoing summer drought. This study investigates the influence of the interannual variability of Arctic sea ice on the June drought in Northwest China from 1979 to 2021. It reveals that the early‐autumn sea ice in the East Siberian Sea is correlated with drought conditions in June in Northwest China, with a more pronounced connection during the period of 2000/2001–2020/2021 (P2) compared to 1979/1980–1999/2000 (P1). Mitigated drought in Northwest China is associated with anomalously high sea ice concentration (SIC) in the East Siberian Sea. Further analysis suggests that the strengthened link may be due to greater SIC variability in the East Siberian Sea during P2 than P1. In P2, positive early‐autumn SIC anomaly is linked to anomalous northeasterly winds, promoting drier soil and widespread cooling in the East European Plain. This dry soil signal may persist into the ensuing spring and early summer, inducing an anticyclonic circulation anomaly over Siberia, which could facilitate the water vapor convergence in Northwest China, thereby enhancing humidity conditions in the region. The insights from this study could offer valuable information for improved prediction of droughts in Northwest China. Plain Language Summary This study examines the impact of Arctic sea ice changes on summer droughts in Northwest China. It was found that early‐autumn sea ice in the East Siberian Sea correlates with drought conditions in Northwest China. Increased sea ice concentration appears to help mitigate drought in Northwest China. This connection was stronger between 2000/2001 and 2020/2021 compared to 1979/1980 and 1999/2000. During 2000/2001–2020/2021, more sea ice leads to drier soil and cooling in the East European Plain, which may affect the following spring and early summer, thereby increasing humidity in Northwest China. These findings could improve predictions of drought conditions in Northwest China. Key Points Study links East Siberian Sea ice to Northwest (NW) China's summer drought, especially after 2000 Increased sea ice is linked to soil dryness and cooling in East European Plain, possibly subsequently enhance humidity in NW China Insights on Arctic ice variability help predict NW China's droughts, aiding response strategies