The Arctic is a region very vulnerable to climate change. Scientists are puzzled by the conditions it presents. And it is not for less: the temperature is staying at values well above normal, which causes the ice to melt.
According to a study published in The Washington Post, In some areas of the Arctic, temperatures could rise more than 50 degrees above the usual average.
The arctic melts
Image - WeatherBell.com
The Arctic climate is known to fluctuate dramatically, but the rise in temperatures taking place is so extreme and lasting so long that scientists are baffled. As you can see in the image, in some areas the temperature during the month of January was 11ºC higher than usual, taking 1981-2010 as a reference period.
The director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in the city of Boulder, Colorado, wrote in the magazine Earth following:
After studying the Arctic and its climate for three and a half decades, I have concluded that what has happened in the last year is beyond extreme.
Decrease in the number of frigid days
Image - Nico Sun
The number of icy days is much lower than in any other period. Meteorologist and writer Eric Holthaus first posted the graph on Twitter, noting that it illustrated a significant reduction in the number of days water froze. And this is something that is happening now.
Are we heading into the unknown? The scientific community assures this. Meanwhile, studies are underway to find out what we are up against. For now, this year the ice sheet in the Arctic is thinner than it should be, so if it continues like this, there could be no ice left during the summer at the North Pole.
You can read the study here (It is in English).