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Tropical influence on West Antarctic snowfall

Overview

Research from the University of Utah, published in JGR Atmospheres, has established a link between tropical climate patterns and snowfall levels on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS).

By analyzing 25 ice cores containing snow accumulation data from 1900 to 1999 alongside 20th-century weather data, scientists determined that tropical convection and sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and Indian oceans drive atmospheric Rossby waves. These large-scale atmospheric undulations propagate toward Antarctica, altering wind patterns, storm tracks, and the transport of heat and moisture to the continent.

The study identifies specific tropical phenomena, such as El Niño and the Madden-Julian Oscillation, as drivers of these disturbances. Researchers also noted regional disparities in accumulation, observing that the eastern sector of the WAIS receives approximately twice as much annual snowfall as the western sector. Understanding these connections between the tropics, oceans, and the cryosphere is considered essential for assessing the long-term stability of the ice sheet.

Entities

University of Utah · West Antarctic Ice Sheet · Ella Hunter · Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres · Summer Rupper

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Tropical climate patterns influence West Antarctic snowfall

    A University of Utah study reveals that tropical climate patterns, such as El Niño, influence Antarctic snowfall by sending Rossby waves that transport heat and moisture to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Tropical weather patterns drive West Antarctic snowfall

    University of Utah researchers found that tropical climate patterns, such as El Niño, trigger Rossby waves that transport heat and moisture to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, affecting snowfall levels.

Sources

attheu.utah.edu · newswise.com · noticiasambientales.com.ar · theweather.com · world-today-news.com · yourweather.co.uk