SSM/I imagery of sea ice, Q-vectors and synoptic-scale linkages between the atmosphere and cryosphere: eighteen years of variability in the Beaufort Sea-the example of principal component one of sea ice

A Q-vector is an atmospheric diagnostic of ageostrophic development within a synoptic weather system. When time series of these and related diagnostics are related to similar series of surface sea ice and snow cover at various lag intervals, insight into the feedbacks between the atmosphere and cryosphere may be possible. In this study the authors examine the Q-vectors derived from National Center for Environmental Prediction analysis over the Beaufort Sea and sea ice concentrations from SSM/I microwave data for the years of 1979 to 1994. The authors examine the dominant modes of atmospheric development associated with particular sea ice patterns and evidence of variability in the linkages.