How does Arctic summer wind modulate sea ice-ocean heat balance in the Canada Basin?

The impacts of Arctic summer wind on ice-ocean heat processes in the sea ice reduction zone were investigated using a pan-Arctic ice-ocean model. The interannual simulation demonstrated event-like sea ice melting because of enhanced solar radiation input and upward ocean heat transfer in the Canada Basin area. Both factors were derived from mechanical ice divergence under cyclonic wind stress. Atmospheric heat penetration into the newly formed open leads was estimated to be a primary contributor to sea ice lateral/bottom melting. The vertical ocean heat flux associated with wind-driven upwelling/mixing was the secondary factor on a monthly time scale. The modeled interannual variability indicated that the relative role of internal ocean dynamics in sea ice variability was greater under cyclonic wind patterns compared with anticyclonic wind conditions.