Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Surface Energy Balance Framework for Arctic Amplification of Climate Change

Glen Lesins Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Thomas J. Duck Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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James R. Drummond Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Print Publication:
01 Dec 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00711.1
Page(s):
8277–8288
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Abstract

Using 22 Canadian radiosonde stations from 1971 to 2010, the annually averaged surface air temperature trend amplification ranged from 1.4 to 5.2 relative to the global average warming of 0.17°C decade−1. The amplification factors exhibit a strong latitudinal dependence varying from 2.6 to 5.2 as the latitude increases from 50° to 80°N. The warming trend has a strong seasonal dependence with the greatest warming taking place from September to April. The monthly variations in the warming trend are shown to be related to the surface-based temperature inversion strength and the mean monthly surface air temperatures.

The surface energy balance (SEB) equation is used to relate the response of the surface temperature to changes in the surface energy fluxes. Based on the SEB analysis, there are four contributing factors to Arctic amplification: 1) a larger change in net downward radiation at the Arctic surface compared to the global average; 2) a larger snow and soil conductive heat flux change than the global average; 3) weaker sensible and latent heat flux responses that result in a larger surface temperature response in the Arctic; and 4) a colder skin temperature compared to the global average, which forces a larger surface warming to achieve the same increase in upward longwave radiation. The observed relationships between the Canadian station warming trends and both the surface-based inversion strength and the surface air temperature are shown to be consistent with the SEB analysis. Measurements of conductive flux were not available at these stations.

Corresponding author address: Glen Lesins, Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS B3H 3J5, Canada. E-mail: glen.lesins@dal.ca

Abstract

Using 22 Canadian radiosonde stations from 1971 to 2010, the annually averaged surface air temperature trend amplification ranged from 1.4 to 5.2 relative to the global average warming of 0.17°C decade−1. The amplification factors exhibit a strong latitudinal dependence varying from 2.6 to 5.2 as the latitude increases from 50° to 80°N. The warming trend has a strong seasonal dependence with the greatest warming taking place from September to April. The monthly variations in the warming trend are shown to be related to the surface-based temperature inversion strength and the mean monthly surface air temperatures.

The surface energy balance (SEB) equation is used to relate the response of the surface temperature to changes in the surface energy fluxes. Based on the SEB analysis, there are four contributing factors to Arctic amplification: 1) a larger change in net downward radiation at the Arctic surface compared to the global average; 2) a larger snow and soil conductive heat flux change than the global average; 3) weaker sensible and latent heat flux responses that result in a larger surface temperature response in the Arctic; and 4) a colder skin temperature compared to the global average, which forces a larger surface warming to achieve the same increase in upward longwave radiation. The observed relationships between the Canadian station warming trends and both the surface-based inversion strength and the surface air temperature are shown to be consistent with the SEB analysis. Measurements of conductive flux were not available at these stations.

Corresponding author address: Glen Lesins, Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS B3H 3J5, Canada. E-mail: glen.lesins@dal.ca
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