Temperatures rise in the fallStudy suggests tropics to blame for warming during autumn monthsPosted May 20, 2013
A new study in the Journal of Climate suggests widespread warming across the Antarctic Peninsula during the fall is being influenced by atmospheric circulation patterns originating in the tropics. Previously, researchers have documented that temperatures have been rising about half a degree Celsius per decade for the last 50 years across parts of the peninsula. In addition, sea ice duration during the winter months has decreased dramatically. Scientists have attributed these phenomena to human-induced climate change and ozone depletion. [State of the Antarctic — State of the Antarctic: New SCAR report shows continent undergoing major changes.] The new research from scientists at the University of Washington The warm sea surface generates an atmospheric phenomenon called a Rossby wave train, which reaches the Antarctic Peninsula and alters the local circulation to warm the region. [See previous article — Heat wave: UW scientists suggest Pacific Ocean contributes to West Antarctic warming.] The sea-surface temperature trend in the tropical Pacific is related to natural phenomena such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation "We still lack a very clear understanding of the tropical natural variability, of what that dynamic is," said Qinghua Ding For further information, see the University of Washington press release |