The mean ice extent for July was 8.39 million square kilometers, the second lowest July
ice extent observed during the satellite data record.
2017 set a new record for the lowest winter maximum sea
ice extent observed.
The most prominent feature is the extremely low
ice extent observed since the mid-1990s (T1 in Fig. 3), which is well below the range of natural variability inferred by the reconstruction.
... Our analysis shows that the wind anomalies related to the negative SAM during the 2016/17 austral summer contributed to the record minimum Antarctic sea
ice extent observed in March 2017.
Thus, winter and spring atmospheric anomalies associated with the positive phase of the NAO may underlie the reduction of summer sea
ice extent observed during the 1980s and 1990s.
In fact, 2015 and early 2016 set records for the most sea
ice extent observed.
In addition, chosen models had to simulate (hindcast), within 20 % accuracy, September sea
ice extent observed from 1980 to 1999.
Not exact matches
Substantial reductions in the
extent of Arctic sea
ice since 1978 (2.7 ± 0.6 percent per decade in the annual average, 7.4 ± 2.4 percent per decade for summer), increases in permafrost temperatures and reductions in glacial
extent globally and in Greenland and Antarctic
ice sheets have also been
observed in recent decades.
Complementary analyses of the surface mass balance of Greenland (Tedesco et al, 2011) also show that 2010 was a record year for melt area
extent... Extrapolating these melt rates forward to 2050, «the cumulative loss could raise sea level by 15 cm by 2050 ″ for a total of 32 cm (adding in 8 cm from glacial
ice caps and 9 cm from thermal expansion)- a number very close to the best estimate of Vermeer & Rahmstorf (2009), derived by linking the
observed rate of sea level rise to the
observed warming.
Through satellite images, researchers have
observed a steep decline in the average
extent of Arctic sea
ice for every month of the year.
Consistent with
observed changes in surface temperature, there has been an almost worldwide reduction in glacier and small
ice cap (not including Antarctica and Greenland) mass and
extent in the 20th century; snow cover has decreased in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere; sea
ice extents have decreased in the Arctic, particularly in spring and summer (Chapter 4); the oceans are warming; and sea level is rising (Chapter 5).
Observed decreases in arctic sea
ice extent have been shown to be inconsistent with simulated internal variability, and consistent with the simulated response to human influence, but SH sea
ice extent has not declined.
The draft report said, «There is low confidence in the scientific understanding of the small
observed increase in Antarctic sea
ice extent.»
A smaller
ice sheet
extent might still respond with the
observed high rate of sea level rise (5 m per century) if the warming is much more rapid than when
ice sheets were more extensive.
I don't know if it would be possible to force a climate model with the
observed sea
ice extent evolution (and an extrapolation) to get some information what this might produce.
Using comprehensive data sets of observations made between 1979 and 2001 of sea
ice thickness, draft,
extent, and speeds, we find that it is possible to tune model parameters to give satisfactory agreement with
observed data, thereby highlighting the skill of modern sea
ice models, though the parameter values chosen differ according to the model forcing used.
The study, being published in Geophysical Research Letters, also looked back at recent
ice behavior and concluded that «internal variability explains approximately half of the
observed 1979 — 2005 September Arctic sea
ice extent loss.»
«The very low summer
extent of Arctic sea
ice that has been
observed in recent years is often casually interpreted as an early - warning sign of anthropogenic global warming.
Our results hence show that the
observed evolution of Arctic sea -
ice extent is consistent with the claim that virtually certainly the impact of an anthropogenic climate change is observable in Arctic sea
ice already today.»
All climate models tell us that it is the Arctic sea
ice cover that declines first, and that Antarctic
ice extent falls only later, and may even (as
observed) temporarily increase in response to changing patterns of atmospheric circulation.
This finding is consistent with the expected effect of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and with other
observed evidence of a changing climate such as reductions in Arctic sea
ice extent, melting permafrost, rising sea levels, and increases in heavy downpours and heat waves.
Canadian
Ice Service, 4.7, Multiple Methods As with CIS contributions in June 2009, 2010, and 2011, the 2012 forecast was derived using a combination of three methods: 1) a qualitative heuristic method based on observed end - of - winter arctic ice thicknesses and extents, as well as an examination of Surface Air Temperature (SAT), Sea Level Pressure (SLP) and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) an experimental Optimal Filtering Based (OFB) Model, which uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate NSIDC's September Arctic Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea ice predicto
Ice Service, 4.7, Multiple Methods As with CIS contributions in June 2009, 2010, and 2011, the 2012 forecast was derived using a combination of three methods: 1) a qualitative heuristic method based on
observed end - of - winter arctic
ice thicknesses and extents, as well as an examination of Surface Air Temperature (SAT), Sea Level Pressure (SLP) and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) an experimental Optimal Filtering Based (OFB) Model, which uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate NSIDC's September Arctic Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea ice predicto
ice thicknesses and
extents, as well as an examination of Surface Air Temperature (SAT), Sea Level Pressure (SLP) and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) an experimental Optimal Filtering Based (OFB) Model, which uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate NSIDC's September Arctic
Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea ice predicto
Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea
ice predicto
ice predictors.
Zhang and Lindsay, 4.4 + / -0.5, Modeling The predicted
ice edge in the western Arctic in 2012 is close to that
observed in 2011, while the predicted
ice extent in the eastern Arctic is smaller than in 2011 (Fig. 2).
â $ œSea
ice extent averaged over the Northern Hemisphere has decreased correspondingly over the past 50 years â $ ¦ The largest change has been
observed in the summer months with decreases exceeding 30 %.
«Sea
ice extent averaged over the Northern Hemisphere has decreased correspondingly over the past 50 years... The largest change has been
observed in the summer months with decreases exceeding 30 %.
Canadian
Ice Service, 4.7 (+ / - 0.2), Heuristic / Statistical (same as June) The 2015 forecast was derived by considering a combination of methods: 1) a qualitative heuristic method based on observed end - of - winter Arctic ice thickness extents, as well as winter Surface Air Temperature, Sea Level Pressure and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) a simple statistical method, Optimal Filtering Based Model (OFBM), that uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate the September sea ice extent timeseries into the future and 3) a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea ice predicto
Ice Service, 4.7 (+ / - 0.2), Heuristic / Statistical (same as June) The 2015 forecast was derived by considering a combination of methods: 1) a qualitative heuristic method based on
observed end - of - winter Arctic
ice thickness extents, as well as winter Surface Air Temperature, Sea Level Pressure and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) a simple statistical method, Optimal Filtering Based Model (OFBM), that uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate the September sea ice extent timeseries into the future and 3) a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea ice predicto
ice thickness
extents, as well as winter Surface Air Temperature, Sea Level Pressure and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) a simple statistical method, Optimal Filtering Based Model (OFBM), that uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate the September sea
ice extent timeseries into the future and 3) a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea ice predicto
ice extent timeseries into the future and 3) a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere and sea
ice predicto
ice predictors.
Our model predicts that September 2015 Arctic sea
ice extent will be 2.11 million km2 below the 1982 to 2011
observed average
extent, but will not reach values as low as those
observed in 2007 or 2012.
With regard to the Outlook estimates for the past two years, the median values for June outlooks for sea
ice extent were within 0.1 million square kilometers (msk) of the
observed values of 4.9 msk in 2010 and 4.6 msk in 2011.
With regard to the Outlook estimates for the past three years, the median values for June outlooks for sea
ice extent were within 0.1 million square kilometers (msk) of the
observed values of 4.9 msk in 2010 and 4.6 msk in 2011, but the June Outlook value of 4.4 msk in 2012 was well above the extreme
observed September value of 3.6 msk.
We interpret the split of 2013 Outlooks above and below the 4.1 level to different interpretations of the guiding physics: those who considered that
observed sea
ice extent in 2012 being well below the 4.1 level indicates a shift in arctic conditions, especially with regard to reduced sea
ice thickness and increased sea
ice mobility; and those who have estimates above 4.1 who support a return to the longer - term downward trend line (1979 - 2007).
We interpret the split of 2013 Outlooks above and below the 4.1 median to different interpretations of the guiding physics: those who considered that
observed sea
ice extent in 2012 being well below the 4.1 level indicates a shift in arctic conditions, especially with regard to reduced sea
ice thickness and increased sea
ice mobility; and those with estimates above 4.1 who support a return to the longer - term downward trend line (1979 - 2007).
Ice around Iceland (the number of weeks when ice was observed in this case) must correlate very well with the arctic sea ice extent / area, at least with the annual maxim
Ice around Iceland (the number of weeks when
ice was observed in this case) must correlate very well with the arctic sea ice extent / area, at least with the annual maxim
ice was
observed in this case) must correlate very well with the arctic sea
ice extent / area, at least with the annual maxim
ice extent / area, at least with the annual maximum.
This model has been proven skillful in reproducing the monthly arctic (and Antarctic) sea
ice extent anomalies over the last 30 years, as well as the
observed long - term downward trend.
An overall warming in the 2 × CO2 experiment causes reduction of sea -
ice extent by 15 %, with maximum decrease in summer and autumn, consistent with
observed seasonal sea -
ice changes.
It is clear that these passages have been more open than today during certain periods of the past and also more closed during other periods, IOW the currently
observed retreat of multi-year Arctic sea
ice extent is nothing unusual or unprecedented.
Global mean temperatures in 2011 did not reach the record - setting levels of 2010, but were still the highest
observed in a La Niña year, and Arctic sea -
ice extent fell to near - record - low levels.
Figure 5:
Observed (red line) and modelled September Arctic sea
ice extent in millions of square kilometres.
Historically, NSIDC scientists have handled the data gap over the North Pole by assuming it was
ice - filled, and adding that area to the
extent observed outside the data gap.
«Previous research revealed that the
observed downward trend in September
ice extent exceeded simulated trends from most models participating in the World Climate Research Programme Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3 (CMIP3).
The authors used very long control runs of both the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) and Hadley Centre climate models (5,000 years for the GFDL model) to assess the probability that the
observed and model - predicted trends in Arctic sea
ice extent occur by chance as the result of natural climate variability.
The National Snow and
Ice Data Center (NSIDC) issued a preliminary announcement on September 19 noting that it was likely the minimum
extent for the year and the lowest
extent observed in the 33 - year satellite record.
Sea
ice extent increased at a fairly steady rate throughout the month, staying slightly above the levels
observed in December 2007.
Furthermore, those 6 models failed to accurately simulate
observed sea
ice extent for individual Arctic basins.
Canadian
Ice Service; 5.0; Statistical As with Canadian Ice Service (CIS) contributions in June 2009 and June 2010, the 2011 forecast was derived using a combination of three methods: 1) a qualitative heuristic method based on observed end - of - winter Arctic Multi-Year Ice (MYI) extents, as well as an examination of Surface Air Temperature (SAT), Sea Level Pressure (SLP) and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) an experimental Optimal Filtering Based (OFB) Model which uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate NSIDC's September Arctic Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere, and sea ice predicto
Ice Service; 5.0; Statistical As with Canadian
Ice Service (CIS) contributions in June 2009 and June 2010, the 2011 forecast was derived using a combination of three methods: 1) a qualitative heuristic method based on observed end - of - winter Arctic Multi-Year Ice (MYI) extents, as well as an examination of Surface Air Temperature (SAT), Sea Level Pressure (SLP) and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) an experimental Optimal Filtering Based (OFB) Model which uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate NSIDC's September Arctic Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere, and sea ice predicto
Ice Service (CIS) contributions in June 2009 and June 2010, the 2011 forecast was derived using a combination of three methods: 1) a qualitative heuristic method based on
observed end - of - winter Arctic Multi-Year
Ice (MYI) extents, as well as an examination of Surface Air Temperature (SAT), Sea Level Pressure (SLP) and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) an experimental Optimal Filtering Based (OFB) Model which uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate NSIDC's September Arctic Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere, and sea ice predicto
Ice (MYI)
extents, as well as an examination of Surface Air Temperature (SAT), Sea Level Pressure (SLP) and vector wind anomaly patterns and trends; 2) an experimental Optimal Filtering Based (OFB) Model which uses an optimal linear data filter to extrapolate NSIDC's September Arctic
Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere, and sea ice predicto
Ice Extent time series into the future; and 3) an experimental Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) prediction system that tests ocean, atmosphere, and sea
ice predicto
ice predictors.
Although
ice extent at the end of June 2010 was slightly lower than that
observed in 2007 (Figure 2), the persistence of the Arctic Dipole Anomaly (DA) throughout the summer of 2007 resulted in an acceleration of
ice loss in July that led to the record low
ice extent in September 2007.
Observed September minimum sea
ice extent denoted by the red dashed line.
Conclusions Recently
observed decadal trends in Arctic winter sea
ice extent are not well explained by external forcing alone.
Observed (black lines) and simulated (shading) surface temperatures, ocean heat content, and sea
ice extent.
Looking at AR5, these seem to be the take away messages: «Comparing trends from the CCSM4 ensemble to
observed trends suggests that internal variability could account for approximately half of the
observed 1979 — 2005 September Arctic sea
ice extent loss.»
He further
observed that while the mean annual reduction of the April
ice extent has been decelerating by a factor of 3 between 1880 and 1980, the mean annual reduction of the minimum (August)
ice extent is proceeding linearly.