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The Impacts of Snow Redistribution on Wintertime Arctic Sea Ice Growth
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  • David Clemens-Sewall,
  • Chris Polashenski,
  • Donald Perovich,
  • Marika Holland,
  • Ian Raphael,
  • Melinda Webster,
  • Madison Smith
David Clemens-Sewall
Dartmouth College, Dartmouth College

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Chris Polashenski
Dartmouth College, Dartmouth College
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Donald Perovich
Dartmouth College, Dartmouth College
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Marika Holland
Natl Ctr Atmospheric Research, Natl Ctr Atmospheric Research
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Ian Raphael
Dartmouth College, Dartmouth College
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Melinda Webster
University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Fairbanks
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Madison Smith
University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory
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Abstract

The thermodynamic growth of sea ice is a critical factor in the mass balance of Arctic sea ice, which has important implications for Arctic communities and the global climate. However, the magnitude by which snow atop Arctic sea ice limits thermodynamic ice growth is still not fully understood. Prior work has shown that the wind-driven snow redistribution could significantly modify the heat conduction through the snow cover and hence the rate of thermodynamic ice growth. However, the effects of snow redistribution on sea ice growth have not been quantified and are not well represented in climate models. We use observations from the MOSAiC expedition to show how different facets of snow redistribution can enhance or reduce heat conduction through the snow cover for the same mean snow thickness. The net effect depends on ice topography and environmental conditions. For example, snow redistribution onto young ice in April at MOSAiC reduced heat conduction by approximately 5-15%. We quantify the impact winter and springtime snow redistribution events on the heat conduction on deformed, level, and young ice. We explore the implications of these snow redistribution processes in the Community Earth System Model and discuss priorities for improving climate models.