Deep Winter Heatwaves:
Antarctica has been experiencing a significant deep-winter heatwave, marking the second instance of record-breaking temperatures in two years.
- Ground temperatures have risen by an average of 10 degrees Celsius above normal since mid-July 2024, with some areas experiencing increases of up to 28 degrees Celsius.
- The polar vortex (also known as polar pig) is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles.
- The term “vortex” refers to the counterclockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles. It always exists near the poles, but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter.
- Higher temperatures and powerful atmospheric waves (periodic disturbances in the fields of atmospheric variables) disrupted the vortex.
- This allowed cold air to escape and warm air from above to descend.
- The arrival of this warm air led to a rise in temperatures in the region.
- Antarctic sea ice has reached historically low levels, reducing its ability to reflect solar energy and act as a barrier between cold air and warmer waters. This loss contributes to rising global temperatures.
- Antarctica is experiencing warming at a rate nearly double that of the global average, estimated at 0.22 to 0.32 degrees Celsius per decade.
- As per IPCC estimates Earth as a whole is warming at the rate of 0.14-0.18 degrees Celsius per decade.
- This accelerated warming is primarily driven by anthropogenic climate change, which exacerbates the effects of natural climate variability.
