Extreme Arctic Warming

GS1: Geography

Context – In February 2025, the Arctic witnessed an unprecedented temperature rise, exceeding the average by more than 20°C. This extreme warming event has raised serious concerns about its consequences for global climate stability.

Rapid Arctic Warming

• Unprecedented Temperature Surge: The North Pole recorded a temperature spike of over 20°C above normal, signaling a severe warming episode.
• Accelerated Warming Trend: Since 1979, the Arctic has been heating up 3.8 times faster than the global average, far surpassing the 1.3°C rise observed worldwide since the late 19th century.

Key Drivers of Arctic Warming

• Crucial Role in Climate Balance: The Arctic functions as the Earth’s natural cooling system. Its rapid warming disrupts this mechanism, threatening the planet’s climate equilibrium.
• Albedo Effect Reduction: As sea ice melts, less sunlight is reflected, and darker ocean waters absorb more heat, intensifying warming.
• Weak Convection: Limited vertical mixing in the atmosphere traps heat near the surface, further elevating Arctic temperatures.

Causes of Extreme Temperature Increase

• Atmospheric Circulation Shift: A deep low-pressure system near Iceland allowed warm air from lower latitudes to enter the Arctic, causing an abnormal temperature rise.
• Elevated Sea Surface Temperatures: Exceptionally warm waters in the North-East Atlantic intensified heat transfer to the Arctic, amplifying the warming effect.

Global Consequences of Arctic Warming

• Rising Sea Levels: The melting Arctic ice contributes to global sea-level rise, threatening coastal populations.
• Disruptions in Weather Patterns: Arctic warming influences extreme weather events worldwide, including storms, droughts, and altered precipitation patterns.
• Interconnected Climate System: Changes in the Arctic create cascading effects on global climate systems, influencing temperatures and weather conditions across the world.