Impact of polar lows on synoptic scale variability of Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait

SUN Ruili; GAO Guoping

doi:10.1007/s13131-018-1199-z

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SUN Ruili, GAO Guoping. Impact of polar lows on synoptic scale variability of Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2018, 37(3): 42-50. doi: 10.1007/s13131-018-1199-z

Citation:

SUN Ruili, GAO Guoping. Impact of polar lows on synoptic scale variability of Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2018, 37(3): 42-50. doi: 10.1007/s13131-018-1199-z

SUN Ruili, GAO Guoping. Impact of polar lows on synoptic scale variability of Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2018, 37(3): 42-50. doi: 10.1007/s13131-018-1199-z

Citation:

SUN Ruili, GAO Guoping. Impact of polar lows on synoptic scale variability of Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2018, 37(3): 42-50. doi: 10.1007/s13131-018-1199-z

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Impact of polar lows on synoptic scale variability of Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait

doi: 10.1007/s13131-018-1199-z

SUN Ruili¹,
GAO Guoping^2
,

1.
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, China;College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201306, China
2.
College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201306, China

Received Date: 2017-05-18

Abstract

Abstract

The Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait (78°50'N) has synoptic scale variability based on an array of moorings over the period of 1998-2010. The synoptic scale variability of Atlantic inflow, whose significant cycle is 3-16 d, occurs mainly in winter and spring (from January to April) and is related with polar lows in the Barents Sea. On the synoptic scale, the enhancement (weakening) of Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait is accompanied by less (more) polar lows in the Barents Sea. Wind stress curl induced by polar lows in the Barents Sea causes Ekman-transport, leads to decrease of sea surface height in the Barents Sea, due to geostrophic adjustment, further induces a cyclonic circulation anomaly around the Barents Sea, and causes the weakening of the Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait. Our results highlight the importance of polar lows in forcing the Atlantic inflow in the Fram Strait and can help us to further understand the effect of Atlantic warm water on the change of the Arctic Ocean.
- Fram Strait,
- Atlantic inflow,
- synoptic scale variability,
- polar lows

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References(45)

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