Investigating the link between Arctic sea ice, North Pacific geopotential height anomalies, and precipitation across the United States
Zobel, Zachary T
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/89264
Description
Title
Investigating the link between Arctic sea ice, North Pacific geopotential height anomalies, and precipitation across the United States
Author(s)
Zobel, Zachary T
Issue Date
2015-07-17
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Wuebbles, Donald
Department of Study
Atmospheric Sciences
Discipline
Atmospheric Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
jet stream amplification
Abstract
New evidence is presented to show that decreasing sea ice in the Arctic is causing an increased amplification of the jet stream off the west coast of the United States. We find a statistically significant relationship between sea ice north of Alaska and geopotential height anomalies during the following winter and spring months. We also show that these semi-persistent height anomalies are increasing in frequency in these locations independent of long term ocean cycles, such as ENSO and PDO. These height anomalies cause more persistent precipitation patterns to certain regions of the United States and we discuss these teleconnections as well as their impacts. These results suggest that as the Arctic, specifically the region north of Alaska, continues to decrease in sea ice coverage a more persistent ridge will form in areas adjacent to this location and affect storm track to the continental United States.
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