Heat wave raises Antarctica's temperature by 10°C, raising global concerns
Antarctica is currently experiencing an unprecedented heat wave, with temperatures soaring up to 10 degrees Celsius above the usual since mid-July. This unusual warmth is expected to persist until mid-August, sparking concerns among scientists about the potential global implications. The most significant temperature rise has been observed in East Antarctica, where current temperatures are hovering around minus one degrees Celsius.
Impact on sea levels
The current heat wave in Antarctica is particularly concerning due to the continent's vast ice reserves. If all this ice were to melt, it could potentially raise average global sea levels by over 150 feet. Even smaller icy features like the so-called Doomsday Glacier could contribute to a 10-feet rise in sea levels if they were to melt — a disastrous scenario for coastal communities worldwide.
Future heat waves could weaken Antarctica's defenses
David Mikolajczyk, a research meteorologist with Antarctic Meteorological Research and Data Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has warned that future heat waves could leave Antarctica more vulnerable to melting. He also highlighted that increased Antarctic melting could potentially alter global oceanic circulations, which play a crucial role in maintaining the planet's climate. This isn't the first time Antarctica has experienced such a significant heat wave. In March 2022, some locations recorded temperatures up to 21 degrees Celsius above normal.
Current wave more widespread and persistent
While the current heat wave is not as severe as the one in 2022, it has been more widespread and long-lasting. The disruption of the southern polar vortex, which began in late July and could continue through early August, is largely responsible for this ongoing heat wave. Amy Butler, a research physicist at NOAA's Chemical Sciences Laboratory explained that when the southern polar vortex gets disrupted, it releases cold air trapped over Antarctica and sends bursts of it farther north.
East Antarctica's vulnerability to extreme warmth
East Antarctica, which houses the South Pole, is typically shielded from such extreme warmth. However, this was not the case during this event or in 2022's heat wave. A study published in Nature Climate Change in 2020 found that the South Pole warmed more than three times the global average rate from 1989 to 2018. Recent research has shown that melting in East Antarctica is becoming equally concerning as that in West Antarctica and its Thwaites "Doomsday" Glacier.
