Atmospheric Blocking and Greenland Melt

CPOM researchers Victoria Lee and Tony Payne have co-authored, alongside Robin S. Smith (NCAS), an article on Atmospheric Blocking and Greenland Melt for the UK Earth system modelling project (UKESM) July newsletter.

Atmospheric blocking occurs when near-stationary high-pressure systems divert westerly flow for a week or more. It can cause extreme regional weather such as heatwaves in summer and cold spells in winter. This article explores the connection between blocking over Greenland and enhanced surface melting of the ice sheet in UKESM1.ice N96 ORCA1 present-day run.

Mean summer geopotential height at 500 hPa in metres with white contours every 25 m for years 1985, 1991, 2004 and 2011. GBI is calculated inside the region marked by magenta lines. Black contours mark the edge of land: