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Arctic October temperatures 3C to 5C above average

2009-01-17 09:55 AM

Frank K
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 26

In this AlterNet article by Steve Conner, temperatures in the Arctic for October 2008 were significantly higher – between 3C and 5C above average. Scientists at the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) in Colorado believe the only reasonable explanation for such high autumn readings is Arctic amplification -- the notion that rises in surface air temperatures in response to increased atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations will be larger in the Arctic than elsewhere over the globe. The ocean heat accumulated during the summer because of the loss of sea ice is being released back into the atmosphere from the sea before winter sea ice has chance to reform.

According to the NSIDC scientists, this is happening 10-15 years earlier than predicted by their climate models. The findings raise concerns that the Arctic has already passed the climatic tipping-point towards ice-free summers, beyond which it may not recover.