Exploring Atmospheric Drivers of Greenland Mass Balance Variability on an Intraseasonal Time Scale

In recent decades, rapid temperature increase has been recorded throughout the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes. Specifically, warming in the Arctic region that includes Greenland has important implications on the surface mass balance of this ice sheet, and subsequently on both local and global climate. In order to understand the role of atmospheric circulation variability on recent ice sheet melt, this study explores the role of tropical intraseasonal variability and Greenland surface mass balance.  Using NASA’s Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications 2 reanalysis data, mid-tropospheric geopotential height variability in the Greenland sector of the Arctic was assessed using the Self Organizing Map clustering technique. Emerging patterns of variability were then considered on an intraseasonal time scale, using the Wheeler and Hendon Madden Julian Oscillation index. Results indicate that variability in this region of the Arctic atmosphere is associated with tropical intraseasonal variability. Preliminary results using 500 hPa geopotential height fields and sea level pressure will be discussed.