TY  - JOUR
A1  - Coumou, Dim
A1  - Lehmann, Jascha
A1  - Beckmann, Johanna
T1  - The weakening summer circulation in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes
T2  - Science
N2  - Rapid warming in the Arctic could influence mid-latitude circulation by reducing the poleward temperature gradient. The largest changes are generally expected in autumn or winter, but whether significant changes have occurred is debated. Here we report significant weakening of summer circulation detected in three key dynamical quantities: (i) the zonal-mean zonal wind, (ii) the eddy kinetic energy (EKE), and (iii) the amplitude of fast-moving Rossby waves. Weakening of the zonal wind is explained by a reduction in the poleward temperature gradient. Changes in Rossby waves and EKE are consistent with regression analyses of climate model projections and changes over the seasonal cycle. Monthly heat extremes are associated with low EKE, and thus the observed weakening might have contributed to more persistent heat waves in recent summers.
Y1  - 2015
UR  - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/38997
SN  - 0036-8075
SN  - 1095-9203
VL  - 348
IS  - 6232
SP  - 324
EP  - 327
PB  - American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science
CY  - Washington
ER  -