The connection between Sea Ice Extent in the Barents-Kara Sea and the Frequency of the East Asian Cold Air Outbreaks

An important and intriguing issue regarding the Arctic sea ice variability is how much it may affect mid-latitude extreme weather. Inspired by such debate, this study investigates the link between the sea ice loss in the Barents-Kara Sea (70°N to 80°N and 20°E to 100°E) and the cold air outbreaks over East Asia (30°N to 45°N and 110°E to 140°E). Using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and satellite observation from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, the time series of a sea ice index and a cold air outbreak index from 1980 to 2012 were analyzed. The correlation coefficient of -0.59 was found between two detrended time series, and it suggests that less sea ice extent is associated with a higher frequency of cold air outbreaks. Further analysis is carried out to investigate physical and dynamical mechanisms for the statistical correlation. Anomalies of upper level circulation pattern and of Arctic Oscillation index will be shown.