Increased storm activity in the eastern sector of the Russian Arctic

Currently, the Russian Arctic is actively engaged in economic activity related to exploration, extraction and transportation of minerals, fishing, and shipping. Data on wind wave parameters were obtained based on the WAVEWATCH III spectral model, and on wind and sea ice concentration from the NCEP/CFSR/CFSv2 reanalysis for the period from 1979 to 2021. Data on cyclones were used from a database created on the basis of NCEP reanalysis and includes information on the trajectory of cyclones and their main characteristics from 1979 to 2015. Estimates of the interannual and seasonal variability in the number and duration of storms in the Laptev Sea, East Siberian and Chukchi Seas were obtained. The obtained trend estimates indicate an increase in the number and duration of storms in all the studied seas. A relationship was found between an increase in the number of storms and a decrease in the area of sea ice, as well as an increase in the number of cyclones.