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Julia Neme1, Wilma Huneke2, Adele Morrison2, Paul Spence3, Andy Hogg2, Matthew England1, Stephen Griffies4
1Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
2Climate Change Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
3NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
4Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
Surface winds on the Antarctic continental shelf play a vital role in global climate by driving sea ice and seawater motion and modulating air-sea buoyancy fluxes. An analysis of CMIP models and reanalysis products reveals large uncertainties in the strength of these winds in historical and future climate. Experiments with a global, eddying ocean-sea ice model are conducted to explore the impact of changing Antarctic coastal wind patterns on Southern Ocean circulation. The effects of katabatic winds on dense water production within polynyas, Ekman pumping on local upwelling and sea ice transport upon the local freshwater balance are tested. The meridional coastal wind component is identified as a key determinant of the model state by modulating the export of sea ice across the continental shelf and dense shelf water production around Antarctica.