Sea ice concentration in response to weather systems in the Weddell Sea: comparison between SSM/I data and model simulations

This study compares sea ice concentrations derived from Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data with results from a dynamic-thermodynamic sea ice model forced by daily means of air temperature and wind. The analyses focus on two regions with different ice characteristics and concentrations in the eastern and western Weddell Sea (Antarctica) for the austral winter period June to July 1992. Additional synoptic observations, surface and radiosonde measurements from a R.V. Polarstern cruise are used for validation. Fluctuations of wind and air temperature are found to be equally important for rapid changes of sea ice concentrations on a daily time scale. The typical reduction of SSM/I-derived sea ice concentration is in the range of 5-10% for transient cyclones, but simulated ice concentrations are reduced by 5%.