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  • Open Access

Continuum model of wind-driven formation of coastal polynyas

Lailai Zhu1,*, Bhargav Rallabandi2, Michael Winton3,†, and Howard A. Stone4,‡

  • *Contact author: lailai_zhu@nus.edu.sg
  • †Retired.
  • ‡Contact author: hastone@princeton.edu
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 013168 – Published 13 February, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/j24x-bf3r

Abstract

This article is part of a Physical Review Collection on the Physics of Changing Climate.

Polynyas—persistent regions of open water within polar sea ice—play a critical role in polar ocean-atmosphere interactions. We combine theoretical modeling and numerical simulations to investigate the dynamics and thermodynamics of wind-driven, latent-heat-generated polynya formation adjacent to straight and curved coastlines. Under the assumption of negligible ice internal pressure, we propose a one-dimensional, continuum, mass- and momentum-conserving theory characterizing the offshore distribution of ice velocity and the spatiotemporal evolution of ice concentration. Finite-element simulations incorporating realistic sea-ice rheology validate the theoretical predictions, demonstrating strong agreement in steady-state polynya widths and ice dynamics. These results align qualitatively with observational climate data. Furthermore, we generalize the framework to two dimensions, enabling quantitative predictions of leeward polynya formation around a model circular island. The proposed theoretical framework advances mechanistic understanding of polynya formation and provides a foundation for improving their representation in climate models.

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This article appears in the following collection:

Physics in a Changing Climate

Climate Science is a growing field that is attracting colleagues from many disciplines. This Collection, a joint effort by Physical Review E, Physical Review Research, and PRX Energy curated by Prof. Justin Burton from Emory University, aims at providing a survey of the diverse range of topics that scientists with a connection to Physics are exploring in this exciting area of research. This includes climate and related geosciences, sustainability, energy, and material science, and may include fundamental as well as applied research.

Every article in this Collection was subjected to a rigorous peer review process, upholding the high standards applied to all papers. The Physical Review E, Physical Review Research, and PRX Energy editorial teams managed the peer review and made all editorial decisions.

Article Text

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 013168– Published 13 February, 2026
  • Received 30 May 2025
  • Accepted 19 December 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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