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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3713
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3713
13 Dec 2024
 | 13 Dec 2024

The future North Atlantic jet stream and storm track: relative contributions from sea ice and sea surface temperature changes

Daniel Köhler, Petri Räisänen, Tuomas Naakka, Kalle Nordling, and Victoria A. Sinclair

Abstract. Using a novel set of coordinated simulations with four different models, the response of the wintertime (December–February) North Atlantic jet stream and storm track to prescribed sea surface temperatures and sea-ice loss is analysed. Three out of the four models show a southward shift of the upper-level jet stream with an increase in jet speed over Europe, where the contribution of sea surface temperatures dominates over the effects of sea-ice loss. However, the remaining model lacks the increase in jet speed over Europe, which originates from opposite responses of similar magnitude due to the future sea surface temperatures and sea-ice cover. The jet stream responses are primarily driven by the change in the meridional temperature gradient and, as a consequence, baroclinicity. At the same time, momentum flux convergence acts as a secondary amplifying and dampening factor. The same three models see a significant eastward shift of the extratropical cyclone track density, which is equally driven by changes to sea surface temperatures and sea ice cover. A consistent feature across all models is a decrease in the frequency of extratropical cyclones in the Mediterranean. The responses of extratropical cyclones to future sea-ice cover and sea surface temperatures do not exceed the inter-model climatological differences. Notable differences in the future response occur, and thus considerable uncertainty remains in how the European climate will respond to a warmer climate.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

25 Jun 2025
The future North Atlantic jet stream and storm track: relative contributions from sea ice and sea surface temperature changes
Daniel Köhler, Petri Räisänen, Tuomas Naakka, Kalle Nordling, and Victoria A. Sinclair
Weather Clim. Dynam., 6, 669–694, https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-669-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-669-2025, 2025
Short summary
Daniel Köhler, Petri Räisänen, Tuomas Naakka, Kalle Nordling, and Victoria A. Sinclair

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3713', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3713', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Jan 2025
  • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3713', Daniel Köhler, 20 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3713', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3713', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Jan 2025
  • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3713', Daniel Köhler, 20 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Daniel Köhler on behalf of the Authors (21 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (21 Feb 2025) by Silvio Davolio
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (17 Mar 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (17 Mar 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (18 Mar 2025) by Silvio Davolio
AR by Daniel Köhler on behalf of the Authors (21 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (26 Mar 2025) by Silvio Davolio
AR by Daniel Köhler on behalf of the Authors (26 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

25 Jun 2025
The future North Atlantic jet stream and storm track: relative contributions from sea ice and sea surface temperature changes
Daniel Köhler, Petri Räisänen, Tuomas Naakka, Kalle Nordling, and Victoria A. Sinclair
Weather Clim. Dynam., 6, 669–694, https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-669-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-669-2025, 2025
Short summary
Daniel Köhler, Petri Räisänen, Tuomas Naakka, Kalle Nordling, and Victoria A. Sinclair
Daniel Köhler, Petri Räisänen, Tuomas Naakka, Kalle Nordling, and Victoria A. Sinclair

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Latest update: 27 Jun 2025
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Short summary
We study the impacts of globally increasing sea surface temperatures and sea-ice loss on the atmosphere in wintertime. In future climates, the jet stream shifts southward over the North Atlantic and extends further over Europe. Increasing sea surface temperatures drive these changes. The region of high activity of low-pressure systems is projected to move east towards Europe. Future increasing sea surface temperatures and sea-ice loss contribute with similar magnitude to the eastward shift.
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