A new pattern of the moisture transport for precipitation related to the drastic decline in Arctic sea ice extent
DATE:
2018-05-23
UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER: http://hdl.handle.net/11093/4285
EDITED VERSION: https://esd.copernicus.org/articles/9/611/2018/
DOCUMENT TYPE: article
ABSTRACT
In this study we use the term moisture transport for precipitation
for a target region as the moisture coming to this region from its major
moisture sources resulting in precipitation over the target region (MTP). We
have identified changes in the pattern of moisture transport for
precipitation over the Arctic region, the Arctic Ocean, and its 13 main
subdomains concurrent with the major sea ice decline that occurred in 2003. The
pattern consists of a general decrease in moisture transport in summer and
enhanced moisture transport in autumn and early winter, with different
contributions depending on the moisture source and ocean subregion. The
pattern is statistically significant and consistent with changes in the
vertically integrated moisture fluxes and frequency of circulation types. The
results of this paper also reveal that the assumed and partially documented
enhanced poleward moisture transport from lower latitudes as a consequence of
increased moisture from climate change seems to be less simple and constant
than typically recognised in relation to enhanced Arctic precipitation
throughout the year in the present climate.