Chiara Nettelnstroth successfully defends her master's thesis

11 November 2024

Photo: Chiara Nettelnstroth

Incorporating autumn conditions of certain early predictors into seasonal temperature forecasts may enhance their accuracy. This study introduces the Arctic Freezing Rate — measured as the change in the sea ice edge following the seasonal minimum in sea ice extent — as an early predictor for winter temperatures in Europe. A fast (slow) freezing rate tends to be followed by warmer (colder) winters in southeastern Europe and colder (warmer) winters in parts of northern Europe. Additionally, the findings suggest that the signal transport of autumn Freezing Rate information toward European winter temperatures can be observed in atmospheric pressure patterns.

Chiara’s thesis, titled "Arctic Sea Ice Freezing Rate as an Early Predictor for European 2-Metre Winter Temperatures," was supervised by Prof. Dr. Johanna Baehr and Dr. Sebastian Brune.

Chiara will now begin an internship in Brussels with a non-profit organisation focusing on strengthening EU climate policies through data analysis and targeted advocacy initiatives.