Recent warming and freshening of the Norwegian Sea observed by Argo data

AbstractClimate variability in the Norwegian Sea, comprising the Norwegian and Lofoten basins, was investigated based upon monthly estimates of ocean heat and freshwater contents using data from Argo floats during 2002–2018. Both local air-sea exchange and advective processes were examined and quantified for monthly to interannual time scales. In the recent years, 2011-2018, the Norwegian Sea experienced a decoupling of the temperature and salinity, with a simultaneous warming and freshening trend. This was mainly explained by two different processes; reduced ocean heat loss to the atmosphere and advection of fresher Atlantic water into the Norwegian Sea. The local air-sea heat fluxes are important in modifying the ocean heat content, although this relationship varied with time scale and basins. On time scales exceeding four months in the Lofoten Basin and six months in the Norwegian Basin, the air-sea heat flux explained half or even more of the local ocean heat content change. There were both a short-te...