Arctic Midlatitude Working Group

The US CLIVAR Working Group on Arctic Change and Possible Influence on Mid-latitude Climate and Weather was formed in May 2015. The intent of the working group is to further the understanding of the coupling between Arctic variability and mid-latitude climate and weather by synthesizing ongoing efforts, coordinating research to fill out key gaps, and providing specific recommendations for accelerating scientific progress.

Main objectives of the working group

1. Assess and synthesize existing knowledge on the links between Arctic climate change and mid-latitude weather variability including weather extremes;
2. Identify key questions and knowledge gaps, with a particular attention on physical processes and scale interactions considering the relatively short time period and multiple components included in the hypothesized linkages;
3. Propose or recommend targeted measurements that will allow better understanding of Arctic climate variability and surface-atmosphere coupling;
4. Provide a preliminary assessment of the ability of current models to reproduce the correct relationship between Arctic and mid-latitude weather and climate variability. Small sample size in the observations remain a challenge, therefore modeling studies are needed to test for significance;
5. Coordinate our efforts with those of other national and international programs, such as SEARCH (Study of Environmental Arctic Change), CliC (Climate and Cryosphere), and IASC (International Arctic Science Committee), by including their members among our WG, in teleconferences, and possibly joint meetings; and
6. Inform funding agencies through US CLIVAR Interagency Group and the IARPC (Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee) of opportunities for advancing scientific understanding of Arctic influences on mid-latitude climate.