On the 2012 record low Arctic sea ice cover: Combined impact of preconditioning and an August storm

Abstract

Abstract A new record low Arctic sea ice extent for the satellite era, 3.4 × 10 6 km 2 , was reached on 13 September 2012; and a new record low sea ice area, 3.0 × 10 6 km 2 , was reached on the same date. Preconditioning through decades of overall ice reductions made the ice pack more vulnerable to a strong storm that entered the central Arctic in early August 2012. The storm caused the separation of an expanse of 0.4 × 10 6 km 2 of ice that melted in total, while its removal left the main pack more exposed to wind and waves, facilitating the main pack's further decay. Future summer storms could lead to a further acceleration of the decline in the Arctic sea ice cover and should be carefully monitored.