Extreme winter warming in the Arctic

Extreme winter warming in the Arctic Today’s Video of the Day comes from the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and features a look at the unusual warming occurring in the Arctic for the fourth winter in a row.

According to researchers, warm moist air is entering the Arctic through both the northern Atlantic Ocean and the northern Pacific Ocean, crossing the Bering Strait.

“We have seen winter warming events before, but they’re becoming more frequent and more intense,” said Alek Petty, sea ice researcher at NASA Goddard. The degree of the arctic warming has subsequent impact on the global activity. The increasing temperature is expected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events which will primarily influence economic growth through damage to property and infrastructure, lost productivity, mass migration and security threats. 

One of the reasons why the Arctic is warming faster is because of its melting sea ice. This reduces the icy, white surface area that can reflect sunlight back into space, causing more solar radiation to be absorbed by the dark colored Arctic waters. The melting of land ice (glaciers and ice sheets) in the Arctic, which is projected to increase the rate of sea-levels rise throughout the world and will affect their coastal communities, low-lying islands, and ecosystems

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By Rory Arnold, Earth.com Staff Writer

Video Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center