| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-1.3-0224 |
| Title of Abstract | Antarctic Sea Ice at Record Lows: Ocean: Atmosphere Dynamics and Climate Implications |
| Authors | Juhi Yadav*, Avinash Kumar, Swathi M, Rahul Mohan |
| Organisation | National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research |
| Address | National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Vasco da Gama, Goa Vasco da Gama, Goa, India Pincode: 403804 E-mail: juhi@ncpor.res.in |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Oral |
| Abstract | Antarctic sea ice is a key regulator of global climate, ocean circulation, and ice shelf stability. While Antarctic Sea Ice Extent (SIE) showed modest growth from 1979 to 2015, recent years have experienced unprecedented declines. Satellite observations indicate record-low SIE in consecutive years, with February 2022 reaching 2.16 ÿ 10⁶ km² (43% below climatology) and February 2023 declining further to ~1.7 ÿ 10⁶ km², the lowest in the satellite era. This study investigates the coupled ocean⿿atmosphere processes driving this rapid loss, emphasizing regional and seasonal variations. The Weddell Sea and Amundsen⿿Bellingshausen Sea (ABS) regions exhibited the steepest reductions, linked to anomalous surface and subsurface ocean warming (up to 300 m) since 2016. Transition from a rare triple-dip La Niña to a warming ENSO phase in 2022⿿2023 strengthened westerly winds, increased open-water exposure, and accelerated ice retreat near the western Antarctic Peninsula. Concurrently, strong positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM) conditions and lower stratospheric cooling influenced atmospheric circulation. Enhanced lower-tropospheric warming and positive net heat fluxes facilitated sustained heat transfer from the Southern Ocean, further amplifying ice melt. These results signifies the interplay of oceanic heat uptake, atmospheric variability, and large-scale teleconnections in driving Antarctic sea ice decline, with critical implications for ice shelf stability, global sea level rise, and climate feedbacks. Continued monitoring and improved polar process representation in climate models are essential for projecting future SIE under ongoing climate change. |
| Keywords | Climate Variability, Ocean Warming, Heat Flux Anomalies, Climate indices |