Overview of the Arctic Sea state and boundary layer physics program

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans (2018)

Field data, in situ data and both aerial and satellite remote sensing was used in the western Arctic during the autumn of 2015 to study coupled air‐ice‐ocean‐wave processes. Comparisons with previous studies reveal the Arctic is shifting to a more seasonal system. Dramatic increases in open water extent and duration in the autumn means that large surface waves and significant surface heat fluxes are now common. Refreezing has become a highly variable process in space and time. Wind and wave events drive changes in sea ice coverage and formation types. This variability affects winter ice cover, and consequently the following melt season.