Land-atmosphere-ocean interactions in the climate of Beringia

The presentation will review analyses, mechanisms, and trends of Seward Peninsula weather, climate, and hydrology since instrumental observations began over 100 years ago. Results from recent digitization of early records will be included. Patterns of variability in the University of Alaska Fairbanks hydrometeorology network, Cooperative, and National Weather Service stations are strongly linked to distribution of seasonal sea ice in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, as well as large-scale modes of climate in the Pacific sector. The implications of this relationship are that future changes in sea ice thickness and distribution near the Seward Peninsula during winter could lead to additional winter warming via increased ocean heat fluxes. Increases in winter air temperature dominate recent climate trends throughout the Arctic and may lead to degradation of marginal permafrost such as that on the Seward Peninsula.