Unprecedented Heatwave Strikes Antarctica

Antarctic temperatures have surged an average of 10°C above normal, with some regions experiencing spikes of 28°C above expectations during July, the depths of winter, The Guardian reported yesterday.

While temperatures remain below zero, this event follows a year of record global warmth, consistently surpassing the critical 1.5°C threshold above preindustrial levels.

Experts, including Michael Dukes from MetDesk, emphasize that the average monthly rise is more significant than individual daily highs, aligning with climate models predicting severe impacts in polar regions. Zeke Hausfather noted that this heatwave is a major contributor to recent global temperature spikes. The phenomenon is linked to a weakened polar vortex and a strong El Niño, following a similar event in March 2022 that caused substantial ice sheet collapse.

Jonathan Overpeck and other scientists express concern that such heatwaves could become increasingly common, highlighting the urgent need for attention to climate change’s effects on the Antarctic and global systems.