Arctic warming contributes to increase in Northeast Pacific marine heatwave days over the past decades

Abstract The frequency and duration of marine heatwaves have been increasing with ocean warming due to climate change. In particular, the Northeast Pacific has experienced intense extensive since late 1990s – characteristically called “the Blob”. Here, an investigation satellite-derived reanalysis data supported by idealized coupled model experiments show that Arctic plays important role in increase heatwave days during boreal summers. Strong acted change atmospheric circulation pattern over reduce low-level cloud fraction from spring early summer. We enhancement solar radiative heat fluxes reduced latent loss a relatively large area favored sea surface temperatures days. An experiment performed here, designed isolate impact warming, supports this hypothesis. projected changes on occurrence should be considered adaptation mitigation plans.