The Signature of Southern Hemisphere Atmospheric Circulation Patterns in Antarctic Precipitation

Gareth J. Marshall*, David W.J. Thompson, Michiel R. van den Broeke

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We provide the first comprehensive analysis of the relationships between large-scale patterns of Southern Hemisphere climate variability and the detailed structure of Antarctic precipitation. We examine linkages between the high spatial resolution precipitation from a regional atmospheric model and four patterns of large-scale Southern Hemisphere climate variability: the southern baroclinic annular mode, the southern annular mode, and the two Pacific-South American teleconnection patterns. Variations in all four patterns influence the spatial configuration of precipitation over Antarctica, consistent with their signatures in high-latitude meridional moisture fluxes. They impact not only the mean but also the incidence of extreme precipitation events. Current coupled-climate models are able to reproduce all four patterns of atmospheric variability but struggle to correctly replicate their regional impacts on Antarctic climate. Thus, linking these patterns directly to Antarctic precipitation variability may allow a better estimate of future changes in precipitation than using model output alone.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11,580-11,589
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume44
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Nov 2017

Funding

G. J. M. was supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council through the British Antarctic Survey research programme Polar Science for Planet Earth. D. W. J. T. is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation Climate Dynamics and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Physical Oceanography programs. The data used are available from the authors on request.

Keywords

  • Antarctica
  • circulation
  • climate
  • mass balance
  • precipitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Signature of Southern Hemisphere Atmospheric Circulation Patterns in Antarctic Precipitation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this