Arctic ice more vulnerable to sunny weather, new study shows

The authors note that, in addition to solar radiation, other factors such as changes in wind patterns and possibly shifts in ocean circulation patterns also influence sea ice loss. In particular, strong winds along regions of sea ice retreat were important to last year's loss of ice. The relative importance of these factors, and the precise extent to which global climate change is driving them, are not yet known.

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Title: "Contribution of cloud and radiation anomalies to the 2007 Arctic sea ice extent minimum"

Authors: Jennifer Kay, Tristan L'Ecuyer, Andrew Gettelman, Graeme Stephens, and Chris O'Dell

Publication: Geophysical Research Letters

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