Work

Interannual connection of winter Barents-Kara sea-ice variability to ENSO regulated by Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, the impact of Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) on the connection of winter sea-ice concentration (SIC) over Barents-Kara Seas (BKS) to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is explored. It is found that the interannual connection is strengthened during the positive AMO phase (AMO+), but weakened during the negative AMO phase (AMO–). During AMO+, poleward heat and moisture transports associated with La Niña toward BKS are enhanced to cause a strong sea-ice decline via the combination of increased Ural blocking and the intensified positive phase of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) due to enhanced and widened Atlantic Hadley cell. Reversed results are detected during El Niño because the negative NAO and Ural trough emerge. However, the BKS SIC-ENSO connection is less evident because interannual changes in poleward atmospheric transports between La Niña and El Niño are reduced during AMO–. These results suggest that the impact of ENSO on the winter BKS SIC strongly depends on the phase of AMO.

Source: Environmental Research Communications

DOI: 10.1088/2515-7620/ae47af

Authors: Jiaqi Shi, Binhe Luo, Yao Yao, Dehai Luo

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Climate variability and models

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,050