Previous results have shown that atmospheric extratropical wave trains and associated air advection on intraseasonal timescales (20–100 days) modulate sea-ice area in the Weddell and Amundsen/Bellingshausen seas. In this study, we investigate feedback mechanisms between intraseasonal extreme sea-ice extent (SIE) and Ekman layer dynamics. We used wind stress τ from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis as a measure of momentum transference between atmosphere and Ekman layer. The life cycle of the MJO is characterized in this study by variations in tropical convection inferred from outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) anomalies on intraseasonal timescales. We compared negative (retraction) and positive (expansion) intraseasonal Ross SIE extremes events during periods with and without MJO activities in the tropics. Composities of the Ekman mass transport seemed related to divergence (convergence) in the Ekman layer during negative (positive) SIE extremes events, and Ekman pumping composities indicated upwelling (downwelling). Cyclone activity was also investigated in this work.