<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>In this study we investigate the relationship of the atmospheric circulation and the sea-ice distribution in the Laptev Sea, Arctic Ocean, in the summers 1979−96. Sea-ice data from passive-microwave radiometers, global atmospheric data analyses, cyclone statistics and simulations of the regional climate model HIRHAM4 were analyzed to find out if periods of reduced or increased sea-ice concentrations are linked to synoptic patterns (circulation anomalies, cyclone activity). A canonical correlation analysis between Arctic sea-level pressure and sea-ice concentration anomalies confirms large-scale relationships among these variables. We did not find a simple relationship between sea-ice area anomalies and cyclone activity in the Laptev Sea area</jats:p>