The Amundsen Sea Low: variability, change and impact on Antarctic climate
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 16:50authored byRaphael, MN, Marshall, GJ, Turner, J, Fogt, RL, Schneider, D, Dixon, DA, Hosking, JS, Jones, JM, William HobbsWilliam Hobbs
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.
History
Publication title
American Meteorological Society. Bulletin
Volume
97
Pagination
111-121
ISSN
0003-0007
Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Publisher
Amer Meteorological Soc
Place of publication
45 Beacon St, Boston, USA, Ma, 02108-3693
Rights statement
Copyright 2016 American Meteorological Society
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Effects of climate change on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments (excl. social impacts)