AOSC Seminar by Dr. Linette Boisvert, 9/21/2023
AOSC Seminar
Dr. Linette Boisvert
NASA Goddard
Title:
‘It’s Complicated:’ The Complex Relationship of Cyclones on Arctic Sea Ice
Abstract:
Arctic cyclones are strong storms which travel into the Arctic and are associated with changes to the temperature, moisture, surface energy budget, winds, and precipitation. However, their timing, strength, location and cumulative effects/impacts of these cyclones on the sea ice are not well established or straightforward. Previous studies have shown conflicting results that cyclone frequency and intensity have not necessarily changed over the past four decades (1980-2020). Here we show that these cyclones are responsible for bringing in the majority of snowfall which falls on Arctic sea ice and builds up the snowpack throughout the year. However, with a warming climate and given that the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere on Earth, it is hypothesized that the precipitation phase of these cyclones could be shifting from predominantly snow to more rain dominated. This could have profound effects on the sea ice survivability, especially if this ‘rainy’ cyclone season extends earlier in the spring, and later into the fall. We will investigate how two anomalous cyclones can have differing effects on the sea ice in winter, and how a rainy cyclone affects the survivability of sea ice in the spring. Finally, we will look at how cyclones will be affected in the springtime in the future with a loss in sea ice cover.
Bio:
Dr. Linette Boisvert is a sea ice scientist and the Assistant Lab Chief in the Cryospheric Sciences Branch at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Linette got her PhD from the University of Maryland in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences in 2013. Her research interests include investigating sea ice-atmospheric interactions in the rapidly changing Arctic. Specifically, she has produced an Arctic-wide turbulent flux dataset from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite to investigate how changes to the sea ice cover affect exchanges of heat and moisture between the ocean and atmosphere and ensuing changes to the local atmosphere. From 2018-2020 she served as the Deputy Project Scientist for NASA’s largest and longest running airborne campaign, Operation IceBridge. During her time as Deputy she helped run 3 campaigns in both the Arctic and Antarctic. When not working, she enjoys running, traveling, and paddle boarding with her miniature wiener dog Remi.
Contact: Gabrielle Linscott
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AOSC Seminar
Pre-seminar refreshment: N/A
Seminar: 3:30-4:30pm, Room: ATL 2400(only when in-person)
Meet-the-Speaker: 4:30-5:00pm, Room: ATL 3400(only when in-person) [For AOSC Students only]
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