Matthews, TR, Hodgkins, R, Guðmundsson, S, Pálsson, F and Björnsson, H (2014) Inter-decadal variability in potential glacier surface melt energy at Vestari Hagafellsjökull (Langjökull, Iceland) and the role of synoptic circulation. International Journal of Climatology. ISSN 1097-0088

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Abstract

The surface energy balance (SEB) of glaciers, although of considerable importance for understanding the melt response to climate change, is rarely analysed for more than a few melt seasons due to the logistical challenges of meteorological measurement campaigns on glaciers. Insight into low-frequency (inter-decadal) changes in the SEB in response to climate warming and variable atmospheric circulation patterns has thus been limited. Here this problem is addressed by using ERA-Interim reanalysis data to extend glacier-meteorological records at two locations on Vestari Hagafellsjökull (Iceland) for the period 1979–2012. Trend analysis is conducted for this series before the role of synoptic circulation in modulating surface energetics is investigated. The results indicate that potential melt energy has increased significantly throughout the period of simulation at both locations (by 19.7 and 32.4%), with the largest increase evident for the turbulent heat fluxes (36.3 and 93.1%). The synoptic conditions associated with the recent high melt rates on the proximate Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) do not result in similarly extreme melt conditions for our Icelandic location. We also find that the North Atlantic Oscillation Index is significantly correlated with the radiative and latent heat components of the SEB. This association remains hidden if the melt rate is assessed in isolation, highlighting the utility of the SEB approach presented here for assessing synoptic aspects of glacier-climate interactions.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Matthews, T., Hodgkins, R., Guðmundsson, S., Pálsson, F. and Björnsson, H. (2014), Inter-decadal variability in potential glacier surface melt energy at Vestari Hagafellsjökull (Langjökull, Iceland) and the role of synoptic circulation. Int. J. Climatol, which has been published in final form at [Link to final article using the http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.4191. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving
Uncontrolled Keywords:	0401 Atmospheric Sciences, 0905 Civil Engineering, 0907 Environmental Engineering
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Natural Sciences & Psychology (closed 31 Aug 19)
Publisher:	Wiley
Date Deposited:	09 Jul 2015 09:16
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 14:13
DOI or ID number:	10.1002/joc.4191
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/1531

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