Extreme Temperature Surge at the North Pole

Context: Recently temperatures at the North Pole rose more than 20°C above average. The northern Svalbard region (Norway) recorded temperatures 18°C above the 1991–2020 average.

Why Did the North Pole Experience Such High Temperatures?

Low-Pressure System Over Iceland

• A deep low-pressure system (an area of lower atmospheric pressure) over Iceland created conditions for warm air to move into the Arctic.
• This system acted as a gateway for warm air from lower latitudes to enter the polar region, raising temperatures.

Unusually Warm Sea Surface Temperatures

• The northeast Atlantic Ocean experienced hotter-than-normal sea surface temperatures, which:
  • Strengthened wind-driven warming in the Arctic.
  • Contributed to the intensification of the warming event.

Why Is the Arctic Warming Faster Than the Global Average?

Rapid Arctic Warming Since the 1970s

• Since 1979, the Arctic has warmed 4 times faster than the global average.
• A 2022 study showed that the Arctic has warmed 8 times faster than the global mean temperature since the late 1970s.
• In contrast, global temperatures have increased by 1.3°C compared to the 1850–1900 baseline.

The Albedo Effect (Sunlight Reflection Mechanism)

• Sea ice reflects sunlight due to its bright white surface, keeping temperatures low.
• As the ice melts, darker land and ocean surfaces are exposed, which absorb more heat, leading to further warming.
• This self-reinforcing feedback loop is accelerating temperature rise in the Arctic.

Weak Atmospheric Convection in the Arctic

• Convection (heat transfer via rising warm air) is weaker in the Arctic compared to the tropics.
• In the tropics, strong convection occurs due to intense sunlight, which distributes heat throughout the atmosphere.
• In the Arctic, weak convection means:
  • The heat from greenhouse gases remains trapped near the surface instead of being distributed upwards.
  • This results in more concentrated warming at ground level.

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