Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-6-2159-2010
https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-6-2159-2010
12 Oct 2010
 | 12 Oct 2010
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal CP. A revision for further review has not been submitted.

Defining the Little Ice Age

Ø. Paasche and J. Bakke

Abstract. The "Little Ice Age" (LIA) is possibly the best-documented climatic anomaly of the past. A wide range of datasets portrays a harsh climate that worsened living conditions, primarily in terms of cooler temperatures, for people across Europe sometime during the last millennium. Regardless of the vast amount of data covering the LIA, there is presently no consensus concerning its spatial manifestation (was it regional or global?), its temporal constraints (when did it start and end?), or the broad-scale dynamics associated with it (what mechanisms did it involve?), although there is no shortage of suggestions. Based on a new compilation of data reflecting atmospheric circulation at both high and low latitudes, we show that the LIA lasted for roughly 400 years (∼1400–1800 AD). During this period at least four major atmospheric circulation systems on Earth co-varied on decadal to centennial timescales: Northern Annular Mode (NAM), Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and West African Monsoon (WAM). This pattern of convergence suggests that a strong coupling between these circulation systems was an important pre-condition for the realisation of the LIA.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Ø. Paasche and J. Bakke
 
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Ø. Paasche and J. Bakke
Ø. Paasche and J. Bakke

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