Combined Impacts of Southern Annular Mode and Zonal Wave Three on Antarctic Sea Ice Variability

Abstract

Abstract Large-scale modes of atmospheric variability in the southern mid-latitudes can influence Antarctic sea ice concentrations (SIC) via diverse processes. For instance, variability in both the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Zonal Wave Three (ZW3) have been linked to the abrupt 2015/16 sea ice decline. While SIC responses to each of SAM and ZW3 have been examined previously, their interaction and synchronous impact on Antarctic sea ice has not. Here, we investigate SAM/ZW3 interactions and their associated combined impacts on Antarctic sea ice using a 1,200-year simulation from a state-of-the-art climate model. Our results suggest that zonal wind anomalies associated with SAM drive SIC anomalies in the marginal ice-zone via advection of ice normal to the ice-edge and Ekman drift. In contrast, meridional wind anomalies associated with ZW3 can have opposing dynamic and thermodynamic effects on SIC. Both SAM- and ZW3-related SIC anomalies propagate eastward, likely by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The interaction of SAM and ZW3 leads to interesting regional SIC responses. During negative SAM, ZW3-associated meridional wind anomalies across western Antarctica are closer to the ice-edge and have a stronger impact on sea ice overall. ZW3 phase affects meridional wind anomalies across the whole ice-edge, whereas it affects SIC anomalies mainly over western Antarctica. In parts of eastern Antarctica, SIC anomalies are less sensitive to ZW3 phase, but are sensitive to SAM, particularly in locations where the ice-edge has a prominent angle relative to the SAM-related zonal wind anomalies.