The importance of regional sea-ice variability for the coastal climate and near-surface temperature gradients in Northeast Greenland

• DOI: 10.5194/wcd-4-747-2023
• Publication Date: 2023-09-01T10:13:51Z
• Authors: Sonika Shahi; Jakob Abermann; Tiago Silva; Kirsty Langley; Signe Hillerup La...; Mikhail Mastepanov; Wolfgang Schöner
• Keywords: Glacier mass balance; Fjord; Geopotential height; Future sea level

Abstract. The climate in Northeast Greenland is shaped by complex topography and interaction with the cryosphere. Since regional ecosystem processes are sensitive to atmospheric stability conditions, it crucial capture this complexity including adequate cryosphere coupling. This study uses an observational dataset from Zackenberg region (Northeast Greenland) investigate local- large-scale factors that determine slope temperature gradient (STG), i.e., along mountain slope. A synthesis of automated weather stations, reanalysis, a model simulations was used. For all seasons, our results show snow cover near-fjord ice conditions dominating governing temporal evolution STG region. Considering drivers STG, we find inversions associated positive 500 hPa geopotential height surface pressure anomalies over East Greenland. strong connection between fractional sea-ice (SIF) Sea terrestrial found. SIF anomaly coincides shallow more (inversions) or less negative than mean since at bottom valley decreases top. example, varies ∼4 ∘C km−1 for corresponding ∼27 % change SIF. Reduction precipitation (snowfall) during days high sea also affects mass balance (SMB) nearby glaciers caps as shown A. P. Olsen Ice Cap. During summer, SMB ablation area (∼16 mm w.e. d−1; indicating melt) accumulation (∼-0.3 accumulation). Based on findings, speculate local anomalously low (i.e., decrease stability) will be prominent future warming.