Arctic Amplification and Mid-latitude Weather: What Can We Learn from the Early 20th Century Warming and the Current Warming Periods?

Abstract:

The rise in near-surface air temperatures in the Arctic has been almost twice as large as the global average in recent decades, but cold, snowy winters have been found over mid-latitude land areas. This phenomenon has been found both in the early 20th century warming period and the current warming period. What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. Several studies suggested a possible link between the Arctic Amplification and the change of weather pattern in the mid-latitude. However, the physical mechanism of this link is still under debate. In this study, we analysed the dynamical features of those severe winters during both warming periods. The purpose is to provide better understanding and long term perspective of the drivers of temperature and precipitation variability in the mid-latitude.