Contributors to linkage between Arctic warming and East Asian winter climate

Abstract Previous modelling and observational studies have shown discrepancies in the interannual relationship of winter surface air temperature (SAT) between Arctic East Asia, stimulating debate about whether change can influence midlatitude climate. This study uses two sets coordinated experiments (EXP1 EXP2) from six different atmospheric general circulation models. Both EXP1 EXP2 consist 130 ensemble members, each which (EXP2) was forced by same observed daily varying sea ice (daily climatological) (SST) for 1982–2014 but with initial conditions. Large spread exists among members simulating Arctic–East Asian SAT relationship. Only a fraction reproduce deep warming–cold continent pattern extends to upper troposphere, implying important role internal variability. The mechanisms warming shallow are further distinguished. aloft is caused primarily poleward moisture transport, conjunction coupled melting constitutes surface-amplified throughout troposphere. These processes associated may be related forcing remote SST when there favorable such as Rossby wave train propagating North Atlantic into Arctic.