Overview of Arctic¶
“The region surrounding the North Pole consists of a large ocean surrounded by land. This ocean, called the Arctic Ocean, is like no other ocean on Earth; and because of its special location and climate, the lands that surround it are unique.” – NSIDC All About Arctic Climatology and Meteorology
Arctic Definitions¶
66° 34’ N
Summer and winter solstices
Arctic tree line
Average daily summer temperature is not higher than 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit)
Arctic Geography¶
Fig. 1 Arctic geography map. Source: Getty Images Art by Dorling Kindersley¶
Arctic Climatology and Meteorology¶
Maritime vs continental climate
Factors
Location
Temperature
Pressure system
Ocean currents
Rivers
Clouds
Precipitation
Biosphere
Arctic Climate Change¶
IPCC’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate – Chapter 3 Polar regions.
Arctic amplification
Arctic sea-ice decline
Atlantification
Biogeochemistry
Thawing permafrost
Snow
Freshwater system
Lightening
A Case Study - Record-Breaking Siberian Temperature in 2020¶
Arctic Exploration¶
Brief histroy
Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC)
I invite Dr Ying-Chih Fang, who is particitating in MOSAiC project, to give a seminar talk in September.