Recent climate variability in the vicinity of the antarctic peninsula

Surface air temperature records from stations on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula show a higher degree of interannual variability and stronger long-term warming trends than recorded elsewhere in Antarctica. Possible mechanisms for driving these fluctuations are investigated. The extreme climatic sensitivity of this region may be linked to a stronger coupling between temperatures and regional sea-ice extent than is seen elsewhere in Antarctica. Significant interannual persistence of air temperature anomalies suggests a link with ocean temperatures or circulation.

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