MASTERCLASS | Sea Ice in the Climate System
LOCATION
SPEAKER: Dr David Schroeder, Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, University of Reading
This session was part of our Masterclass Series The Oceans and Atmosphere: Maritime Meteorology and Climate, strengthening our understanding of the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere in partnership with the University of Reading and sponsored by Fleetweather.
This Masterclass Series covered broad topics relevant to marine meteorology such as tropical cyclone
development and the latest science relating to conceptual models; changes in Arctic sea ice and future
projections that will impact marine routing through the Arctic; and recent developments in ocean modelling
and atmospheric/ocean coupling in numerical weather prediction.
The webinars were free of charge and were held from 15:00 to 16:30 BST with a presentation followed by the opportunity for questions and discussion with the speaker. Whilst the webinars are part of a series you can choose which to attend and attendance at all three is not compulsory.
Sea Ice in the Climate System
The Arctic Sea ice has been in decline during the last four decades and the Arctic summer sea ice extent has
never been as low as at present during the last 1450 years. Natural variability alone cannot explain the
recent observed decrease. There is a direct physical argument that climate change causes a decrease of sea
ice: an increase of atmospheric C02 leads to an increase in long-wave radiation resulting in an increase of
ice melt. Climate model studies allow us to discriminate between the impact of natural variability and the
impact of climate change on the observed sea ice decline. A sea ice model is an important component of the
climate model. Its representation of physical processes effects crucial feedback processes, climate sensitivity
and how realistic climate models can project future sea ice evolution and climate change beyond the Arctic.
The talk will cover sea ice as indicator of climate change, advances in sea ice modelling and
seasonal forecasting and future sea ice projections.
Key points:
- Arctic sea ice is a sensitive indicator of climate change
- Sea ice behaves as a plastic material and is a mushy layer
- More realistic model physics (e.g. melt ponds, sub-grid scale ice thickness distribution) crucial for
- accurate simulation of current and future sea ice evolution
David Schroeder is a Senior Research Fellow working for CPOM (Centre for Polar Observation and
Modelling) in the Department of Meteorology in the University of Reading. He has a PhD in Meteorology of
the Arctic (Hamburg, 2005). In the last 16 years David has developed a number of sea ice model codes.
Since 2011 he has worked as sea ice developer for CPOM and provides sea ice model support for the Met
Office and other UK users. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers on sea ice modelling.
Research highlights include seasonal sea ice predictions based on melt ponds and improving sea ice models
based on Cyrosat-2 ice thickness estimates.
Ocean Modelling I15:00 - 16:30 I 13th October 2021
SPEAKER I Dr Samantha Lavender, Director, Pixalytics Ltd
Tropical Cyclones I 15:00 - 16:30 I 20th October 2021
SPEAKER I Professor Pier Luigi Vidale, University of Reading
This Series continues the success of previous years' Masterclasses and is intended for an audience with an established level of understanding of the topics being discussed.
The Series is aimed at providing CPD for those advancing the science and working in the production of
services for shipping, offshore activities (drilling, wind and tidal energy), catastrophe modelling, insurance,
search and rescue and naval operations. It will also provide an update in the science of the interactions between
the oceans and atmosphere in the development of weather systems and the impact of climate change.
In particular, the Masterclasses are ideal for RMets, CMets and relevant organisations and aims to support participants in:
- Developing an in-depth understanding of meteorological and climate science (theory, principles, concepts,techniques) with relevance to its application
- Keeping up-to-date with current scientific developments and recent advances in the field
Sponsored by
Fleetweather provides optimum safe routing and forecasting assistance for any fleet, vessel or voyage enabling clients to save time and fuel, reduce emissions, optimize planning, and keep accurate ETAs. Now under the ownership of StratumFive, the company offers expert weather routing services, charter party compliance and claims guidance services to many of the world’s notable fleets. It is the non-biased leader in claims analysis, voyage reconstructions and rebuttal guidance.
SPEAKER: Dr David Schroeder, Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, University of Reading
This session was part of our Masterclass Series The Oceans and Atmosphere: Maritime Meteorology and Climate, strengthening our understanding of the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere in partnership with the University of Reading and sponsored by Fleetweather.
This Masterclass Series covered broad topics relevant to marine meteorology such as tropical cyclone
development and the latest science relating to conceptual models; changes in Arctic sea ice and future
projections that will impact marine routing through the Arctic; and recent developments in ocean modelling
and atmospheric/ocean coupling in numerical weather prediction.
The webinars were free of charge and were held from 15:00 to 16:30 BST with a presentation followed by the opportunity for questions and discussion with the speaker. Whilst the webinars are part of a series you can choose which to attend and attendance at all three is not compulsory.
Sea Ice in the Climate System
The Arctic Sea ice has been in decline during the last four decades and the Arctic summer sea ice extent has
never been as low as at present during the last 1450 years. Natural variability alone cannot explain the
recent observed decrease. There is a direct physical argument that climate change causes a decrease of sea
ice: an increase of atmospheric C02 leads to an increase in long-wave radiation resulting in an increase of
ice melt. Climate model studies allow us to discriminate between the impact of natural variability and the
impact of climate change on the observed sea ice decline. A sea ice model is an important component of the
climate model. Its representation of physical processes effects crucial feedback processes, climate sensitivity
and how realistic climate models can project future sea ice evolution and climate change beyond the Arctic.
The talk will cover sea ice as indicator of climate change, advances in sea ice modelling and
seasonal forecasting and future sea ice projections.
Key points:
- Arctic sea ice is a sensitive indicator of climate change
- Sea ice behaves as a plastic material and is a mushy layer
- More realistic model physics (e.g. melt ponds, sub-grid scale ice thickness distribution) crucial for
- accurate simulation of current and future sea ice evolution
David Schroeder is a Senior Research Fellow working for CPOM (Centre for Polar Observation and
Modelling) in the Department of Meteorology in the University of Reading. He has a PhD in Meteorology of
the Arctic (Hamburg, 2005). In the last 16 years David has developed a number of sea ice model codes.
Since 2011 he has worked as sea ice developer for CPOM and provides sea ice model support for the Met
Office and other UK users. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers on sea ice modelling.
Research highlights include seasonal sea ice predictions based on melt ponds and improving sea ice models
based on Cyrosat-2 ice thickness estimates.
Ocean Modelling I15:00 - 16:30 I 13th October 2021
SPEAKER I Dr Samantha Lavender, Director, Pixalytics Ltd
Tropical Cyclones I 15:00 - 16:30 I 20th October 2021
SPEAKER I Professor Pier Luigi Vidale, University of Reading
This Series continues the success of previous years' Masterclasses and is intended for an audience with an established level of understanding of the topics being discussed.
The Series is aimed at providing CPD for those advancing the science and working in the production of
services for shipping, offshore activities (drilling, wind and tidal energy), catastrophe modelling, insurance,
search and rescue and naval operations. It will also provide an update in the science of the interactions between
the oceans and atmosphere in the development of weather systems and the impact of climate change.
In particular, the Masterclasses are ideal for RMets, CMets and relevant organisations and aims to support participants in:
- Developing an in-depth understanding of meteorological and climate science (theory, principles, concepts,techniques) with relevance to its application
- Keeping up-to-date with current scientific developments and recent advances in the field
Sponsored by
Fleetweather provides optimum safe routing and forecasting assistance for any fleet, vessel or voyage enabling clients to save time and fuel, reduce emissions, optimize planning, and keep accurate ETAs. Now under the ownership of StratumFive, the company offers expert weather routing services, charter party compliance and claims guidance services to many of the world’s notable fleets. It is the non-biased leader in claims analysis, voyage reconstructions and rebuttal guidance.
