Abstract: We evaluated the capability of simulation of Arctic sea ice for the 5th phase of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (CMIP5) models in comparison with satellite data. The results showed that the spatial distribution of sea ice and the seasonal change characteristics are captured well by most of the models. Observations from 1979 to 2005 have revealed a decrease in the extent of Arctic sea ice and this was simulated by all the models, but with large differences in magnitude. In response to a 1.0°C increase in surface air temperature, the extent of Arctic sea ice reduces by 0.4 × 10⁶ km², whereas the uncertainties of the climate models indicate a decrease of ice extent ranging from 0.62–1.68 × 10⁶ km²for a similartemperature rise.

Key words: Arctic sea ice, coupled climate model, CMIP5