%0 journal article %@ 0094-8276 %A Dethloff, K.,Rinke, A.,Benkel, A.,Koeltzow, M.,Sokolova, E.,Kumar Saha, S.,Handorf, D.,Dorn, W.,Rockel, B.,Storch, H.v.,Haugen, J.E.,Roed, L.P.,Roeckner, E.,Christensen, J.H.,Stendel, M. %D 2006 %J Geophysical Research Letters %N 3 %P L03703 %R doi:10.1029/2005GL025245 %T A dynamical link between the Arctic and the global climate system %U https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025245 3 %X By means of simulations with a global coupled AOGCM it is shown that changes in the polar energy sink region can exert a strong influence on the mid- and high-latitude climate by modulating the strength of the mid-latitude westerlies and storm tracks. It is found, that a more realistic sea-ice and snow albedo treatment changes the ice-albedo feedback and the radiative exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean-sea-ice system. The planetary wave energy fluxes in the middle troposphere of mid-latitudes between 30 and 50°N are redistributed, which induces perturbations in the zonal and meridional planetary wave trains from the tropics over the mid-latitudes into the Arctic. It is shown, that the improved parameterization of Arctic sea-ice and snow albedo can trigger changes in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oscillation pattern with strong implications for the European climate.