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Split westerlies over Europe in the early Little Ice Age
Hsun-Ming Hu1,2, Chuan-Chou Shen3,4, John C H Chiang5,6
1High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan, ROC.
Nature Communications
|August 20, 2022
Summary
The Little Ice Age (LIA) brought complex climate patterns, not fully explained by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). A new Italian stalagmite record reveals early LIA European climate shifts potentially linked to Arctic sea-ice changes.
Area of Science:
- Paleoclimatology
- Climate Science
- European Climate History
Background:
- The Little Ice Age (LIA; ca. 1450-1850 C.E.) was a significant cold period.
- Previous studies on LIA Atlantic circulation changes often referenced the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).
- Recent research suggests LIA climate complexity may not be fully captured by NAO analogues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a new, precipitation-sensitive stalagmite record from northern Italy spanning the past 800 years.
- To investigate the hydroclimatic conditions and atmospheric circulation patterns during the early LIA.
- To explore potential analogues for future European climate scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of an 800-year stalagmite record from northern Italy.
- Reconstruction of past precipitation patterns.
- Interpretation of atmospheric circulation dynamics during the early LIA (1470-1610 C.E.).
Main Results:
- The early LIA (1470-1610 C.E.) was characterized by increased atmospheric ridging over northern Europe.
- This ridging pattern diverted climatological westerlies away from central and northern Europe.
- Arctic sea-ice reduction is proposed as a potential driver for these circulation changes.
Conclusions:
- Early LIA European hydroclimatic conditions were complex and influenced by factors beyond the NAO.
- Arctic sea-ice reduction may play a significant role in altering European climate patterns.
- Ongoing Arctic ice melt and decreasing solar irradiance suggest the early LIA could serve as an analogue for future European climate.
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