Simulations of Climate Change for IPCC AR4
Sea ice and snow
The developement of sea ice and snow represents an important climate indicator. A decrease of the sea ice and snow cover due to a warmer climate will result in a darker surface. As a consequence more solar radiation will be absorbed at the surface and thus contribute to a further warming and melting (ice-albedo-feedback).
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Development of the mean annual sea ice cover for the three scenarios A2, A1B and B1. |
The following figures illustrate the seasonal cycle (green) and the annual mean (blue) of the sea ice area on the northern hemisphere. When the green field reaches the bottom line of the diagram, the sea ice melts completely during late summer.
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Animation: Comparison of the northern hemispheric sea ice and snow cover in March and September for the scenarios A2 and B1. While for A2 the sea ice in summer melts completely, the arctic remains partly covered with ice for B1. (Mpeg1, 2.4 MB) |
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Animation: Development of the norther hemispheric sea ice and snow cover in March and September for the scenario A2. (Mpeg1, 2.7 MB) |
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Animation: Development of the norther hemispheric sea ice and snow cover in March and September for the scenario A1B.(Mpeg1, 2.7 MB) |
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Animation: Development of the norther hemispheric sea ice and snow cover in March and September for the scenario B1.(Mpeg1, 2.7 MB) |
Visualisation: Michael Böttinger, DKRZ