Barents Sea thermal frontal zones in 1960-2017: Variability, weakening, shifting

Abstract

This paper discusses our research on the interannual variability in the Barents Sea thermal frontal zones. The extent of the frontal zones and their mean temperature gradients at 50 m depth in August-September 1960-2017 were estimated for an area between 73-78°N and 15-43°E, where the frontal zones are more evident. Thermal frontal zones were identified in areas where temperature gradients exceeded 0.04°C km-1. Since the beginning of this century, the extent of the frontal zones has been decreasing and temperature gradients have been weakening. From the 1960s to the 2010s, the decadal mean centroids of thermal frontal zones shifted northeastwards by 150 km.