Atlantic water temperature and climate in the Barents Sea, 2000-2009

Year-to-year variability in the temperature of Atlantic water (AW), which has a strong influence on the marine climate and ecosystem of the Barents Sea, was analysed using data from the Kola Section. With a positive trend in mean annual temperature during the late 20th century, only positive anomalies were registered during the past decade. In nine of those years, the temperature was warmer than the 1951-2000 long-term mean by 0.5-1.28C, and in 2006, the historical maximum for the 110-year period of observations along the section was recorded. High air and water temperature coincided with reduced sea-ice cover, especially between October and April, when there is seasonal enlargement of the ice-covered area. An integral climate index (CI) of the Barents Sea based on the variability in temperature of AW, air temperature, and ice cover is presented. A prediction of future Barents Sea climate to 2020 is given by extrapolating the sixth degree polynomial approximating the CI.