Science Source

Evidence linking rapid Arctic warming to mid-latitude weather patterns

States that the emergence of Arctic amplification—the enhanced sensitivity of high-latitude temperature to global warming—in only the last 10–20 years presents a challenge to identifying statistically robust atmospheric responses using observations
Presents new metrics and evidence that suggest disproportionate Arctic warming—and resulting weakening of the poleward temperature gradient—is causing the Northern Hemisphere circulation to assume a more meridional character (i.e. wavier), although not uniformly in space or by season, and that highly amplified jet-stream patterns are occurring more frequently
Further analysis based on self-organizing maps supports this finding
States that these changes in circulation are expected to lead to persistent weather patterns that are known to cause extreme weather events
Concludes that as emissions of greenhouse gases continue unabated, therefore, the continued amplification of Arctic warming should favor an increased occurrence of extreme events caused by prolonged weather conditions