The Impact of Beaufort Sea Ice Changes on Spring Sand and Dust Storm Weather in Northern China

Abstract Using OISSTv2 sea ice concentration (SIC) data and sand and dust storm (SDS) station data from 2000 to 2023, the relationship between autumn Arctic sea ice changes and interannual-scale variations in spring SDS frequency in northern China is analyzed. The research results indicate that the SIC in the Beaufort area from September to October is significantly positively correlated with the frequency of spring SDSs in northern China during the following year. The abnormal concentration of Beaufort Sea ice causes anomalies in the 500-hPa geopotential height field through thermal and dynamic mechanisms and spreads downstream through the Eurasian region, having a great impact on the atmospheric circulation in East Asia. In years with more sea ice in the early autumn, the zonal circulation in the mid–high latitudes of Asia tends to be stronger in winter, the East Asian winter monsoon weakens, and the central and eastern regions of China tend to be warmer. In spring, with the strengthening of the resistance of the Ural Mountains, the meridional circulation increases, and the Mongolian cyclone and Siberian high pressure strengthen. The cold air in central and eastern China tends to be stronger, leading to a higher frequency of SDSs in spring, and vice versa. The Plumb wave activity flux analysis shows that for years with more sea ice, the propagation of wave energy from central Asia to low-latitude regions is active, while for years with less sea ice, the main propagation path of wave energy has a relatively small impact on China.