On sea ice concentration anomaly coherence in the southern Beaufort Sea

Abstract

The circumpolar flaw lead polynya system is a region of enhanced biological productivity and for significant portions of the annual cycle, dominates the exchange of energy and mass across the ocean‐sea ice‐atmosphere (OSA) interface. We investigate the nature of sea ice concentration (SIC) anomalies for spatial and temporal statistical persistence within a portion of this flaw lead system. We find such a structure in the shelf break zone between Amundsen Gulf and the Canada Basin. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data is used to determine the potential roles of oceanic and atmospheric forcing in creating and maintaining this observed coherence in the SIC anomalies. Results suggest that the coherence pattern is consistent over the instrumental record (1979 to 2000), although it changes in shape and extent between years. The forcing mechanisms creating this coherence in SIC anomalies appear to be tied to surface wind‐driven upwelling in the shelf‐break areas of the Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS).