New areas of polar lows over the Arctic as a result of the decrease in sea ice extent

• Published in: Izvestiya. Atmospheric and oceanic physics Vol. 51; no. 9; pp. 1021 - 1033
• Main Authors: Zabolotskikh, E. V., Gurvich, I. A., Chapron, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01-12-2015; Springer Nature B.V; MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica
• Subjects: Algorithms; Analysis; Arctic sea ice; Atmospheric water; Atmospheric water vapor; Climatology; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Fisheries; Geophysical methods; Geophysics; Geophysics/Geodesy; Ice environments; Image processing; Marine; Measurement methods; Moisture content; Navigation; Parameter estimation; Polar lows; Remote sensing; Remote Study of Arctic Atmospheric Processes; Satellites; Sciences of the Universe; Sea ice; Sea surface; Surface analysis (chemical); Surface wind; Synoptic analysis; Water; Water content; Water vapor; Water vapor content; Water vapour; Wind speed; Arctic region; PN, Arctic; mesoscale cyclones; Russian Arctic seas; synergetic analysis
• ISSN: 0001-4338; 1555-628X
• DOI: 10.1134/S0001433815090200

Three mesocyclones (MCs) over the Russian (Eastern) Arctic are investigated using multispectral satellite remote sensing data, surface analysis maps, and reanalysis data. Advanced retrieval algorithms are used for estimating the geophysical parameter from satellite passive microwave measurements. These methods allow reconstructing in full the geophysical parameter fields characterizing polar lows. Synoptic analysis along with cloud image, atmospheric water vapor content, cloud liquid water content, and sea surface wind speed field analysis show that, while the Arctic sea ice retreats, new areas of open water appear where MCs can arise. A detailed study of several polar low cases reveals the typical conditions of their formation and development. Further studies are in demand due to the danger of MC extreme events for navigation, transport, and fishery operations in these unexplored regions.