The role of the Siberian high in northern hemisphere climate variability

Abstract

anomaly, is a surface temperature anomaly induced by the anomalous circulation. We will show that this anomaly pattern originates in the early fall, on a much more regional scale, in Siberia. As the season progresses this anomaly pattern propagates and amplifies to dominate much of the extratropical NH, making the Siberian high a dominant force in NH climate variability in winter. Also since the SLP and surface temperature anomalies originate in a region of maximum fall snow cover variability, we argue that snow cover partially forces the phase of winter variability and can potentially be used for the skillful prediction of winter climate.

Connections of Siberian snow onset dates to the following summer's monsoon conditions over Southeast Asia

“…Cohen et al, 2000;Cohen and Entekhabi 2001;Saito and Cohen, 2003). The echoed significant correlation centers over the tropical region from stratosphere to mid-troposphere in April suggest a continued migration of the influence to lower latitudes during spring.…”

Multi-annual variations in winter westerly disturbance activity affecting the Himalaya

“…In this work, we also consider the SH, which is a predominant thermal high positioned over northern continental Asia. This mode alters WWD storm tracks by spreading cold, dry, continental air outward, in association with location changes of the subtropical jet (Cohen et al 2001). The strength of the high can determine the angle of WWD approach to the Himalaya as well as its continued propagation.…”

Improved simulations of snow extent in the second phase of the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP‐2)

“…Additional potential cryospheric feedback mechanisms include local effects on stability and cloudiness; and large-scale effects on meridional temperature gradients, atmospheric greenhouse gasses, and ocean circulation. Research in the area of the feedback effects of snow cover on climate dates back to at least the 1970s (see reviews and references from Davies [1994], Clark [1998], Walsh [1984], Cohen and Rind [1991], and Frei [1997]; and more recent studies by Cohen et al [2000]; Robinson et al [2001]; Clark and Serreze [2000]; Serreze et al [1998]; Watanabe and Nitta [1998]; Derksen et al [1998]). Indeed, general circulation model (GCM) results are sensitive to the treatment snow-related processes [Gong et al, 2002;Roesch et al, 1999Roesch et al, , 2001Zeng et al, 2002;Washington and Meehl, 1986;Jin et al, 1999;Nolin and Frei, 2001;Nolin and Stroeve, 1997;Slater et al, 1998;Yang et al, 1997;Ingram et al, 1989;Simmonds, 1996, 1997;Segal et al, 1991;Fierz et al, 1997;Graf, 1998a, 1998b].…”