The impact of large scale atmospheric and cyclone variability on the sea-ice edge in the Labrador Sea

We study the temporal variability of the wintertime Labrador Sea ice area.  The driving factors of these intraseasonal and interannual variations are related to large scale atmospheric variability and cyclone variability both of which can be characterized by the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index.  We observe negative trends in the maximum sea-ice area over the past 40 years, and a positive correlation between the AO index and Labrador Sea ice area.  Using satellite-derived daily ice area along with reanalysis-derived cyclones, turbulent flux, wind, humidity, air and sea temperature fields, we delve into the physical coupling mechanisms by which cyclones influence the position of the ice edge in the Labrador Sea throughout the winter.