Articles | Volume 24, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2115-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2115-2024
Research article
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27 Jun 2024
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 27 Jun 2024

The risk of synoptic-scale Arctic cyclones to shipping

Alexander Frank Vessey, Kevin I. Hodges, Len C. Shaffrey, and Jonathan J. Day

Data sets

ERA5 hourly data on pressure levels from 1940 to present H. Hersbach et al. https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.bd0915c6

Model code and software

TRACK tracking and analysis system for weather, climate and ocean data K. I. Hodges https://gitlab.act.reading.ac.uk/track/track/-/releases

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Executive editor
This manuscript is very timely and addressing a significant aspect of polar meteorology, Arctic synoptic-scale cyclones. Given the current and future development of open passages due to sea-ice loss, this study may have significant influence on upcoming needs of shipping as well as the scientific analysis of underlying physical mechanisms for future arctic cyclone development.
Short summary
The risk posed to ships by Arctic cyclones has seldom been quantified due to the lack of publicly available historical Arctic ship track data. This study investigates historical Arctic ship tracks, cyclone tracks, and shipping incident reports to determine the number of shipping incidents caused by the passage of Arctic cyclones. Results suggest that Arctic cyclones have not been hazardous to ships and that ships are resilient to the rough sea conditions caused by Arctic cyclones.
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