Temperatures at the North Pole soared more than 20° Celsius above average, briefly nearing the melting point in the dead of winter and alarming climate scientists.
Ajit Niranjan reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- A deep low-pressure system over Iceland directed warm air toward the Arctic, pushing temperatures above -1°C (30.2° Fahrenheit) as far north as 87°N.
- Arctic temperatures have risen nearly four times faster than the global average since 1979, making extreme heat events more frequent and severe.
- Scientists predict the Arctic Ocean will lose its summer sea ice cover within the next two decades, even with drastic pollution cuts.
Key quote:
“There is no negotiating with this fact, and no negotiating with the fact that the ice will disappear more and more as long as temperatures keep rising.”
— Dirk Notz, climate scientist at the University of Hamburg
Why this matters:
The Arctic, often referred to as the planet’s natural air conditioner, plays a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate. However, it is warming at an alarming pace — about four times faster than the global average — triggering a cascade of consequences that extend far beyond the polar region. Melting sea ice, a visible indicator of this warming, reduces the Earth’s ability to reflect sunlight, leading to further heat absorption and amplifying global warming.
Learn more: Arctic heat surges to unprecedented levels
