Temporal Variability of Arctic Sea Ice Melt and Freeze Season Climate Indicators Using a Satellite Passive Microwave Climate Data Record

Information on the timing of Arctic snow and ice melt onset, sea ice opening, retreat, advance, and closing can be beneficial to a variety of stakeholders. Sea ice modelers can use information on the evolution of the ice cover through the rest of the summer to improve their seasonal sea ice forecasts. The length of the open water season (as derived from retreat and advance dates) is important for human activities and for wildlife. Long-term averages and variability of these dates as climate indicators are beneficial to business strategic planning and climate monitoring. In this presentation, basic characteristics of temporal means and variability of Arctic sea ice climate indicators derived from a satellite passive microwave climate data record from March 1979 to February 2017 melt and freeze seasons are described.