A Spatial and Seasonal Examination of Changes in Snow Cover, Sea Ice, and Surface Temperature in the Northern Hemisphere

The change in the global surface temperature is well documented. However, the rate of temperature change across the globe is not uniform, with high latitudes, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, warming at a rate faster than the mid- and low-latitudes. Similar to temperature trends, changes in Arctic sea ice extent and snow cover are not uniform. The rate of warming across northern regions is interconnected with the rapid loss of sea ice across the Arctic in late summer and loss of snow cover during the warm and transition seasons. Loss of snow and ice leads to local warming, and warming leads to additional loss of snow and ice. Changes in Northern Hemisphere sea ice and snow cover have important implications for the global climate system due to changes in surface albedo and other land/ocean surface processes. Better understanding where and how fast sea ice and snow cover are changing with time can also help decision makers across a wide array of sectors including, but not limited to, cargo shipping and water resource management. This study will help describe where changes in sea ice and snow cover are occurring, when they are occurring, and their correlation with changes in surface temperatures.