The presently accepted explanation for why the northeastern reaches of Asia and North America are far colder than western areas at similar latitudes relies on orographic controls of weather systems and the movement of prevailing atmospheric circulation over warm ocean currents. Here it is shown that oceans are indeed an important underlying cause, but via a different mechanism: the generation of strong atmospheric waves leading to anomalous cold over eastern continental boundaries.
- Yohai Kaspi
- Tapio Schneider