Extreme Warming Event at the North Pole
In early February, the North Pole experienced an extreme increase in temperatures, exceeding 20 degrees Celsius above average, marking a significant anomaly in the region's climate patterns.
Temperature Anomalies
- Temperatures in Svalbard, Norway, were 18 degrees Celsius above the 1991–2020 average.
- Moreover, North Pole's temperatures rose more than 20 degrees Celsius above average.
Rapid Arctic Warming
- Since 1979, the Arctic has warmed four times faster than the global average, posing significant environmental challenges.
- This rapid warming threatens global weather patterns and can contribute to rising sea levels.
Causes of Temperature Increase
- A deep low-pressure system over Iceland facilitated the inflow of warmer air from lower latitudes, raising temperatures.
- Elevated sea surface temperatures in the north-east Atlantic intensified wind-driven warming.
Factors Contributing to Arctic Warming
- Albedo Effect: The diminishing sea ice reflects less sunlight, causing more heat absorption by land and water.
- Lack of Convection: Weaker convection in the Arctic leads to heat being trapped near the surface, unlike the tropics where vertical mixing occurs.
Global Temperature Context
- Global temperatures have risen by approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius since the 1850-1900 baseline.
- The Arctic has warmed 3.8 times faster than the global average since the late 1970s.
